So Joe took up the letters.

Who are you laughing at? says Bob Doran.

So I saw there was going to be a bit of a dust. Bob’s a queer chap when the porter’s up in him so says I just to make talk:

How’s Willy Murray those times, Alf?

I don’t know, says Alf. I saw him just now in Capel street with Paddy Dignam. Only I was running after that...

You what? says Joe, throwing down the letters. With who?

With Dignam, says Alf.

Is it Paddy? says Joe.

Yes, says Alf. Why?

Don’t you know he’s dead? says Joe.