Портрет художника в юности

           ThenNastyRochehadsaid:

           —Whatkindofanameisthat?

           AndwhenStephenhadnotbeenabletoanswerNastyRochehadasked:

           —Whatisyourfather?

           Stephenhadanswered:

           —Agentleman.

           ThenNastyRochehadasked:

           —Isheamagistrate?

           Hecreptaboutfrompointtopointonthefringeofhisline,makinglittlerunsnowandthen.Buthishandswerebluishwithcold.Hekepthishandsinthesidepocketsofhisbeltedgreysuit.Thatwasabeltroundhispocket.Andbeltwasalsotogiveafellowabelt.OnedayafellowsaidtoCantwell:

           —I’dgiveyousuchabeltinasecond.

           Cantwellhadanswered:

           —Goandfightyourmatch.GiveCecilThunderabelt.I’dliketoseeyou.He’dgiveyouatoeintherumpforyourself.

           Thatwasnotaniceexpression.Hismotherhadtoldhimnottospeakwiththeroughboysinthecollege.Nicemother!Thefirstdayinthehallofthecastlewhenshehadsaidgoodbyeshehadputupherveildoubletohernosetokisshim:andhernoseandeyeswerered.Buthehadpretendednottoseethatshewasgoingtocry.Shewasanicemotherbutshewasnotsonicewhenshecried.Andhisfatherhadgivenhimtwofive-shillingpiecesforpocketmoney.Andhisfatherhadtoldhimifhewantedanythingtowritehometohimand,whateverhedid,nevertopeachonafellow.