He notices that she is wearing a Celtic knot broach and she almost immediately brings up the fact that she has seen Gabriel’s column in The Daily Express, a publication known for its unionist and conservative leanings. The next dance begins and Gabriel finds himself paired with his colleague, Miss Ivors. Kate and another party guest enter the room and announce it is time to pair up for the next waltz.Īs Mary Jane is finishing her piano performance, Gabriel’s mind drifts to his dead mother to whom he attributes many of his accomplishments but also resented because of her disapproval of Gretta. Browne, takes three younger women into the back room and serves them all strong drinks, flirting until the women lose interest. Aunt Kate asks Gabriel to keep an eye on Freddy, as he is known to show up intoxicated. Freddy Malins arrives and the conversation dissolves.
Gretta tells Kate and Julia of Gabriel’s strange preference for galoshes, and he explains that they’re very popular on the continent.
Gretta and Gabriel’s aunts come out of the dressing room and greet Gabriel, who is their favorite nephew.
As he joins the party, Gabriel glances at the notes for the speech he is to make later on that night, wondering whether quoting Robert Browning will be too obscure and complicated for his audience. She awkwardly thanks him as he heads upstairs to the party, still brooding over her bitter retort. Gabriel offers her a tip, which he insists she accept in the Christmas spirit.
When Lily takes Gabriel’s coat, he notices that she has matured into an attractive young woman and remarks that she is approaching the age for marriage, but Lily snaps at his remark. It is already after ten o’clock when Gabriel-the protagonist and nephew of Julia and Kate-and his wife Gretta finally arrive. Lily is taking the men’s coats, while Julia and Kate are attending to the female party guests. The story begins with Lily, Julia, Mary Jane, and Kate welcoming guests to their annual Christmas party in Dublin.
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