Page 239 - dubliners

Gabriel paced in a circle round the hall in his goloshes
amid the laughter of the others.
‘Round and round he went,’ said Gabriel, ‘and the old
gentleman, who was a very pompous old gentleman, was
highly indignant. ‘Go on, sir! What do you mean, sir? John-
ny! Johnny! Most extraordinary conduct! Can’t understand
the horse!’
The peal of laughter which followed Gabriel’s imitation
of the incident was interrupted by a resounding knock at the
hall door. Mary Jane ran to open it and let in Freddy Ma-
lins. Freddy Malins, with his hat well back on his head and
his shoulders humped with cold, was puffing and steaming
after his exertions.
‘I could only get one cab,’ he said.
‘O, we’ll find another along the quay,’ said Gabriel.
‘Yes,’ said Aunt Kate. ‘Better not keep Mrs. Malins stand-
ing in the draught.’
Mrs. Malins was helped down the front steps by her son
and Mr. Browne and, after many manoeuvres, hoisted into
the cab. Freddy Malins clambered in after her and spent a
long time settling her on the seat, Mr. Browne helping him
with advice. At last she was settled comfortably and Freddy
Malins invited Mr. Browne into the cab. There was a good
deal of confused talk, and then Mr. Browne got into the cab.
The cabman settled his rug over his knees, and bent down
for the address. The confusion grew greater and the cabman
was directed differently by Freddy Malins and Mr. Browne,
each of whom had his head out through a window of the
cab. The difficulty was to know where to drop Mr. Browne

239