Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Four
Mister O’Herlihy brought Mister Drig his pipe, wiped a smattering of dandruff off his shoulder, and left him to relax in his comfy chair. Mister Drig thumbed through a book of poems, but became drowsy. Mister O’Herlihy, coming in from tidying up the bedroom, asked him softly if he would like a cup of tea, but Mister Drig shook his head (to indicate that he did not). Mister O’Herlihy proceeded to sit on his lap, kiss his cheek, and hold him. Once Mister Drig had drifted off to sleep—for where else would he drift to, at that time of night? Buenos Aires?—Mister O’Herlihy quietly took the pipe from his mouth and set it on the table. Then Mister O’Herlihy, cuddling into him, fell to sleep, and dreamt of locomotives.