In that I did not always fail. I could perhaps do that
still--
Cranly cut him short by asking:
--Has your mother had a happy life?
--How do I know? Stephen said.
--How many children had she?
--Nine or ten, Stephen answered. Some died.
--Was your father... Cranly interrupted himself for an instant, and then
said: I don't want to pry into your family affairs. But was your father
what is called well-to-do? I mean, when you were growing up?
--Yes, Stephen said.
--What was he? Cranly asked after a pause.
Stephen began to enumerate glibly his father's attributes.
--A medical student, an oarsman, a tenor, an amateur actor, a shouting
politician, a small landlord, a small investor, a drinker, a good
fellow, a story-teller, somebody's secretary, something in a
distillery, a tax-gatherer, a bankrupt and at present a praiser of his
own past.
Cranly laughed, tightening his grip on Stephen's arm, and said:
--The distillery is damn good.
--Is there anything else you want to know? Stephen asked.
--Are you in good circumstances at present?
--Do I look it? Stephen asked bluntly.
--So then, Cranly went on musingly, you were born in the lap of luxury.
He used the phrase broadly and loudly as he often used technical
expressions, as if he wished his hearer to understand that they were
used by him without conviction.
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