Gabriel writes a literary column for The Daily Express, a conservative paper with Unionist leanings. He remembers how his mother opposed his marriage to Gretta but later, when his mother was dying, Gretta was the one who tended to her.Īfter Mary Jane's piece ends, Gabriel ends up dancing with Miss Ivors.

He thinks about his mother, the only sister who'd had no musical talent.

Later, Gabriel has trouble listening to Mary Jane's rather professional-sounding piece. Browne that Freddy is not to drink anymore. Freddy greets the old aunts, and then goes over to Mr. Julia watches Freddy and Gabriel with some concern. Quadrilles (a square dance popular at the time) start, and Aunt Kate and Mary Jane try to conscript folks for the dancing. Everyone compliments Miss Daly and the waltz she played. He goes with the three young ladies into the back room for some drinks. Browne, Miss Furlong, Miss Daly, and Miss Power. Under Kate's direction, Julia sees to Mr. Aunt Kate asks Gabriel to check up on him, and to look after him if he's drunk. The mood is festive and friendly.įreddy arrives. Tonight, after the party, he and his wife Gretta will stay at a hotel rather than take a cab all the way home. He fears that everyone will think he is flaunting his education, and that he'll fail with them as he failed to make himself pleasant to Lily.Īunts Julia and Kate approach him, and dote on him. He begins nervously to rehearse the speech he will give at dinner. He tips her, and though she resists she eventually accepts. She retorts bitterly about the predatory nature of men, which rattles Gabriel. He mentions that soon she must be getting ready to get married. As Lily helps Gabriel with his things, he notices her slim body and pretty looks. It is past ten pm, and Gabriel Conroy and his wife have not yet arrived. Mary Jane still lives with them, earning money through her music. Mary Jane, their only niece, lived on with them. The dance is always huge: family, former music pupils, and the members of Julia's choir fill the house with gaiety and laughter.Īfter the death of their brother Pate, Kate and Julia have lived in the old house on Usher's Island. Lily, the caretaker's daughter, struggles to keep up with her many tasks, which include looking after the arriving guests. Miss Kate Morkan and Miss Julian Morkan, spinster sisters, are throwing their annual Misses Morkan's dance.

The dead joyce