“Good night, gentlemen.” And the door closed behind Mr. Burns and Mr. Clancy, who headed in the direction of Murphy’s Court.
Chapter VI
“That’s how they showed their respects for Paddy Murphy,
That’s how they showed their honour and their pride,
They said it was a shame for Pat, and winked at one another,
Everything in the wake-house went, on the night that Murphy died.”
Murphy’s Wake.
O’CONNOR’S wagon had come and gone several times; a black streamer hung from the bell knob; the shutters were bowed with a ribbon of the same sombre hue. Groups of children sat upon cellar doors and talked in whispers; slatternly women stood on doorsteps, morbidly watching all who came or went at the house where old Larry lay dead. Mrs. Nolan, her head muffled in a woollen shawl, was leaning out at her kitchen window, likewise engaged, when Hogan the policeman came through the court upon his evening round.
“Are yez goin’ in?” asked he, pausing.
“Not the noight,” replied Mrs. Nolan, “all me bits av rags is in the wash, an’ sorra’ a t’ing have I till put on me back. Bella an’ Dick will, though, an’ mesilf will t’morry noight, plaze God.”