GLOSSARY

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 407.

NOTES

Christian Brothers' School - a Catholic school for boys

The Abbot - a romantic tale by Walter Scott about an ordinary boy who becomes page to the imprisoned Mary Queen of Scots

The Devout Communican - A Catholic book of devotions

litany – an invocation to the saints, each addressed in turn to which the congregation answers ‘Pray for us'

a come-all-you - a song sung on the streets and pubs

O'Donovan Rossa – a fenian leader who was informed on by a priest

I pressed the palms of my hands together – the gesture of a prayer

Araby- a poetic name for Arabia, suggesting exotic eastern entertainments. The bazaar in Dublin, “Araby, Grand Oriental Fete”

a retreat – a period of silent contemplation lasting a day or more, during which the participants meditate, pray and attend religious talks

Freemason – in Catholic countries freemasons are always treated with suspicion

'All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy' – the quoting of the proverb is ironical since the uncle has just contributed to the failure of the boy's outing

this night of Our Lord – a conventional exclamation in devout language which shows how religion is part and parcel of the aunt's life

The Arab's Farewell to his Steed - the poem written by a Victorian feminist (irony, as the aunt would listen meekly)

a florin – 10 pence (a generous sum at the time)

Café Chantant- a cafe with music-hall-type entertainment

two men were counting money - in the churchlike atmosphere of the empty hall this recalls the money-changers Jesus threw out of the temple

a blind end

imperturbable
musty (air)

late (tenant)

sombre

feeble

lantern

to sting sb

bodies glowed

gauntlet

ashpits

to peer

sash

to diverge

to be like a summons

hostile to

jostled by

chalice

throng

to impinge

incessant

convent

spike

folly

to annihilate

tedious

to chafe against

enchantment

to ask for leave

amiability

sternness

to answered curtly
to misgive

garrulous

pious

latchkey

to be midway through

salver

porcelain

to look humbly

to deride

driven by (vanity)