尤利西斯-第65章

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sed　the　Blessed　Sacrament　and　Cissy　Caffrey　caught　the　two　twins　and　she　was　itching　to　give　them　a　ringing　good　clip　on　the　ear　but　she　didn't　because　she　thought　he　might　be　watching　but　she　never　made　a　bigger　mistake　in　all　her　life　because　Gerty　could　see　without　looking　that　he　never　took　his　eyes　off　of　her　and　then　Canon　O'Hanlon　handed　the　thurible　back　to　Father　Conroy　and　knelt　down　looking　up　at　the　Blessed　Sacrament　and　the　choir　began　to　sing　Tantum　ego　and　she　just　swung　her　foot　in　and　out　in　time　as　the　music　rose　and　fell　to　the　Tantumer　gosa　cramen　tum。　Three　and　eleven　she　paid　for　those　stockings　in　Sparrow's　of　George's　street　on　the　Tuesday；　no　the　Monday　before　Easter　and　there　wasn't　a　brack　on　them　and　that　was　what　he　was　looking　at；　transparent；　and　not　at　her　insignificant　ones　that　had　neither　shape　nor　form　（the　cheek　of　her！）　because　he　had　eyes　in　his　head　to　see　the　difference　for　himself。　
Cissy　came　up　along　the　strand　with　the　two　twins　and　their　ball　with　her　hat　anyhow　on　her　to　one　side　after　her　run　and　she　did　look　a　streel　tugging　the　two　kids　along　with　the　flimsy　blouse　she　bought　only　a　fortnight　before　like　a　rag　on　her　back　and　bit　of　her　petticoat　hanging　like　a　caricature。　Gerty　just　took　off　her　hat　for　a　moment　to　settle　her　hair　and　a　prettier；　a　daintier　head　of　nutbrown　tresses　was　never　seen　on　a　girl's　shoulders；　a　radiant　little　vision；　in　sooth；　almost　maddening　in　its　sweetness。　You　would　have　to　travel　many　a　long　mile　before　you　found　a　head　of　hair　the　like　of　that。　She　could　almost　see　the　swift　answering　flush　of　admiration　in　his　eyes　that　set　her　tingling　in　every　nerve。　She　put　on　her　hat　so　that　she　could　see　from　underneath　the　brim　and　swung　her　buckled　shoe　faster　for　her　breath　caught　as　she　caught　the　expression　in　his　eyes。　He　was　eyeing　her　as　a　snake　eyes　its　prey。　Her　woman's　instinct　told　her　that　she　had　raised　the　devil　in　him　and　at　the　thought　a　burning　scarlet　swept　from　throat　to　brow　till　the　lovely　colour　of　her　face　became　a　glorious　rose。　
Edy　Boardman　was　noticing　it　too　because　she　was　squinting　at　Gerty；　half　smiling；　with　her　specs；　like　an　old　maid；　pretending　to　nurse　the　baby。　Irritable　little　gnat　she　was　and　always　would　be　and　that　was　why　no…one　could　get　on　with　her；　poking　her　nose　into　what　was　no　concern　of　hers。　And　she　said　to　Gerty：　
　A　penny　for　your　thoughts。　
　What？　replied　Gerty　with　a　smile　reinforced　by　the　whitest　of　teeth。　I　was　only　wondering　was　it　late。　
Because　she　wished　to　goodness　they'd　take　the　snottynosed　twins　and　their　baby　home　to　the　mischief　out　of　that　so　that　was　why　she　just　gave　a　gentle　hint　about　its　being　late。　And　when　Cissy　came　up　Edy　asked　her　the　time　and　Miss　Cissy；　as　glib　as　you　like；　said　it　was　half　past　kissing　time；　time　to　kiss　again。　But　Edy　wanted　to　know　because　they　were　told　to　be　in　early。　
　Wait；　said　Cissy；　I'll　ask　my　uncle　Peter　over　there　what's　the　time　by　his　conundrum。　
So　over　she　went　and　when　he　saw　her　ing　she　could　see　him　take　his　hand　out　of　his　pocket；　getting　nervous；　and　beginning　to　play　with　his　watchchain；　looking　at　the　church。　Passionate　nature　though　he　was　Gerty　could　see　that　he　had　enormous　control　over　himself。　One　moment　he　had　been　there；　fascinated　by　a　loveliness　that　made　him　gaze；　and　the　next　moment　it　was　the　quiet　gravefaced　gentleman；　selfcontrol　expressed　in　every　line　of　his　distinguishedlooking　figure。　
Cissy　said　to　excuse　her　would　he　mind　telling　her　what　was　the　right　time　and　Gerty　could　see　him　taking　out　his　watch；　listening　to　it　and　looking　up　and　clearing　his　throat　and　he　said　he　was　very　sorry　his　watch　was　stopped　but　he　thought　it　must　be　after　eight　because　the　sun　was　set。　His　voice　had　a　cultured　ring　in　it　and　though　he　spoke　in　measured　accents　there　was　a　suspicion　of　a　quiver　in　the　mellow　tones。　Cissy　said　thanks　and　came　back　with　her　tongue　out　and　said　uncle　said　his　waterworks　were　out　of　order。　
Then　they　sang　the　second　verse　of　the　Tantum　ergo　and　Canon　O'Hanlon　got　up　again　and　censed　the　Blessed　Sacrament　and　knelt　down　and　he　told　Father　Conroy　that　one　of　the　candles　was　just　going　to　set　fire　to　the　flowers　and　Father　Conroy　got　up　and　settled　it　all　right　and　she　could　see　the　gentleman　winding　his　watch　and　listening　to　the　works　and　she　swung　her　leg　more　in　and　out　in　time。　It　was　getting　darker　but　he　could　see　and　he　was　looking　all　the　time　that　he　was　winding　the　watch　or　whatever　he　was　doing　to　it　and　then　he　put　it　back　and　put　his　hands　back　into　his　pockets。　She　felt　a　Kind　of　a　sensation　rushing　all　over　her　and　she　knew　by　the　feel　of　her　scalp　and　that　irritation　against　her　stays　that　that　thing　must　be　ing　on　because　the　last　time　too　was　when　she　clipped　her　hair　on　account　of　the　moon。　His　dark　eyes　fixed　themselves　on　her　again　drinking　in　her　every　contour；　literally　worshipping　at　her　shrine。　If　ever　there　was　undisguised　admiration　in　a　man's　passionate　gaze　it　was　there　plain　to　be　seen　on　that　man's　face。　It　is　for　you；　Gertrude　MacDowell；　and　you　know　it。　
Edy　began　to　get　ready　to　go　and　it　was　high　time　for　her　and　Gerty　noticed　that　that　little　hint　she　gave　had　the　desired　effect　because　it　was　a　long　way　along　the　strand　to　where　there　was　the　place　to　push　up　the　pushcar　and　Cissy　took　off　the　twins'　caps　and　tidied　their　hair　to　make　herself　attractive　of　course　and　Canon　O'Hanlon　stood　up　with　his　cope　poking　up　at　his　neck　and　Father　Conroy　handed　him　the　card　to　read　off　and　he　read　out　Panem　de　clo　prstitisti　eis　and　Edy　and　Cissy　were　talking　about　the　time　all　the　time　and　asking　her　but　Gerty　could　pay　them　back　in　their　own　coin　and　she　just　answered　with　scathing　politeness　when　Edy　asked　her　was　she　heartbroken　about　her　best　boy　throwing　her　over。　Gerty　winced　sharply。　A　brief　cold　blaze　shone　from　her　eyes　that　spoke　volumes　of　scorn　immeasurable。　It　hurt。　O　yes；　it　cut　deep　because　Edy　had　her　own　quiet　way　of　saying　things　like　that　she　knew　would　wound　like　the　confounded　little　cat　she　was。　Gerty's　lips　parted　swiftly　to　frame　the　word　but　she　fought　back　the　sob　that　rose　to　her　throat；　so　slim；　so　flawless；　so　beautifully　moulded　it　seemed　one　an　artist　might　have　dreamed　of。　She　had　loved　him　better　than　he　knew。　Lighthearted　deceiver　and　fickle　like　all　his　sex　he　would　never　understand　what　he　had　meant　to　her　and　for　an　instant　there　was　in　the　blue　eyes　a　quick　stinging　of　tears。　Their　eyes　were　probing　her　mercilessly　but　with　a　brave　effort　she　sparkled　back　in　sympathy　as　she　glanced　at　her　new　conquest　for　them　to　see。　
　O；　responded　Gerty；　quick　as　lightning；　laughing；　and　the　proud　head　flashed　up；　I　can　throw　my　cap　at　who　I　like　because　it's　leap　year。　
Her　words　rang　out　crystalclear；　more　musical　than　the　cooing　of　the　ringdove；　but　they　cut　the　silence　icily。　There　was　that　in　her　young　voice　that　told　that　she　was　not　a　one　to　be　lightly　trifled　with。　As　for　Mr　Reggy　with　his　swank　and　his　bit　of　money　she　could　just　chuck　him　aside　as　if　he　was　so　much　filth　and　never　again　would　she　cast　as　much　as　a　second　thought　on　him　and　tear　his　silly　postcard　into　a　dozen　pieces。　And　it　ever　after　he　dared　to　presume　she　could　give　him　one　look　of　measured　scorn　that　would　make　him　shrivel　up　on　the　spot。　Miss　puny　little　Edy's　countenance　fell　to　no　slight　extent　and　Gerty　could　see　by　her　looking　as　black　as　thunder　that　she　was　simply　in　a　towering　rage　though　she　hid　it；　the　little　kinnatt；　because　that　shaft　had　struck　home　for　her　petty　jealousy　and　they　both　knew　that　she　was　something　aloof；　apart　in　another　sphere；　that　she　was　not　of　them　and　there　was　somebody　else　too　that　knew　it　and　saw　it　so　they　could　put　that　in　their　pipe　and　smoke　it。　
Edy　straightened　up　baby　Boardman　to　get　ready　to　go　and　Cissy　tucked　in　the　ball　and　the　spades　and　buckets　and　it　was　high　time　too　because　the　sandman　was　on　his　way　for　Master　Boardman　junior　and　Cissy　told　him　too　that　Billy　Winks　was　ing　and　that　baby　was　to　go　deedaw　and　baby　looked　just　too　ducky；　laughing　up　out　of　his　gleeful　eyes；　and　Cissy　poked　him　like　that　out　of　fun　in　his　wee　fat　tummy　and　baby；　without　as　much　as　by　your　leave；　sent　up　his　pliments　on　to　his　brandnew　dribbling　bib。　
O　my！　Puddeny　pie！　protested　Ciss。　He　has　his　bib　destroyed。　
The　slight　contretemps　claimed　her　attention　but　in　two　twos　she　set　that　little　matter　to　rights。　
Gerty　stifled　a　smothered　exclamation　and　gave　a　nervous　cough　and　Edy　asked　what　and　she　was　just　going　to　tell　her　to　catch　it　while　it　was　flying　but　she　was　ever　ladylike　in　her　deportment　so　she　simply　passed　it　off　with　consummate　tact　by　saying　that　that　was　the　benediction　because　just　then　the　bell　rang　out　from　the　steeple　over　the　quiet　seashore　because　Canon　O'Hanlon　was　up　on　the　altar　with　the　veil　that　Father　Conroy　put　round　him　round　his　shoulders　giving　the　benediction　with　the　blessed　Sacrament　in　his　hands。　
How　moving　the　scene　there　in　the　gathering　twilight；　the　last　glimpse　of　Erin；　the　touching　chime　of　those　evening　bells　and　at　the　same　time　a　bat　flew　forth　from　the　ivied　belfry　through　the　dusk；　hither；　thither；　with　a　tiny　lost　cry。　And　she　could　see　far　away　the　lights　of　the　lighthouses　so　picturesque　she　would　have　loved　to　do　with　a　box　of　paints　because　it　was　easier　than　to　make　a　man　and　soon　the　lamplighter　would　be　going　his　rounds　past　the　presbyterian　church　grounds　and　along　by　shady　Tritonville　avenue　where　the　couples　walked　and　lighting　the　lamp　near　her　window　where　Reggy　Wylie　used　to　turn　his　freewheel　like　she　read　in　that　book　The　Lamplighter　by　Miss　Cummins；　author　of　Mabel　Vaughan　and　other　tales。　For　Gerty　had　her　dreams　that　no…one　knew　of。　She　loved　to　read　poetry　and　when　she　got　a　keepsake　from　Bertha　Supple　of　that　lovely　confession　album　with　the　coralpink　cover　to　write　her　thoughts　in　she　laid　it　in　the　drawer　of　her　toilettable　which；　though　it　did　not　err　on　the　side　of　luxury；　was　scrupulously　neat　and　clean。　It　was　there　she　kept　her　girlish　treasures　trove；　the　tortoiseshell　bs；　her　child　of　Mary　badge；　the　whiterose　scent；　the　eyebrowleine；　her　alabaster　pouncetbox　and　the　ribbons　to　change　when　her　things　came　home　from　the　wash　and　there　were　some　beautiful　thoughts　written　in　it　in　violet　ink　that　she　bought　in　Hely's　of　Dame　Street　for　she　felt　that　she　too　could　write　poetry　if　she　could　only　express　herself　like　that　poem　that　appealed　to　her　so　deeply　that　she　had　copied　out　of　the　newspaper　she　found　one　evening　round　the　potherbs。　Art　thou　real；　my　ideal？　it　was　called　by　Louis　J。　Walsh；　Magherafelt；　and　after　there　was　something　about　twilight；　wilt　thou　ever？　and　ofttimes　the　beauty　of　poetry；　so　sad　in　its　transient　loveliness；　had　misted　her　eyes　with　silent　tears　that　the　years　were　slipping　by　for　her；　one　by　one；　and　but　for　that　one　shorting　she　knew　she　need　fear　no　petition　and　that　was　an　accident　ing　down　Dalkey　hill　and　she　always　tried　to　conceal　it。　But　it　must　end　she　felt。　If　she　saw　that　magic　lure　in　his　eyes　there　would　be　no　holding　back　for　her。　Love　laughs　at　locksmiths。　She　would　make　the　great　sacrifice。　Her　every　effort　would　be　to　share　his　thoughts。　Dearer　than　the　whole　world　would　she　be　to　him　and　gild　his　days　with　happiness。　There