Richard
[Raises his face and leans back to listen.] Yes.
[Robert sits on the chair beside him. The Fishwoman is heard calling out farther away.]
The Fishwoman
Fresh herrings! Dublin bay herrings!
Robert
I failed, Richard. That is the truth. Do you believe me?
Richard
I am listening.
Robert
I failed. She is yours, as she was nine years ago, when you met her first.
Richard
When we met her first, you mean.
Robert
Yes. [He looks down for some moments.] Shall I go on?
Richard
Yes.
Robert
She went away. I was left alone—for the second time. I went to the vicechancellor's house and dined. I said you were ill and would come another night. I made epigrams new and old—that one about the statues also. I drank claret cup. I went to my office and wrote my article. Then . . .
Richard
Then?
Robert
Then I went to a certain nightclub. There were
