payment page
After the women finish their tea, Maria prepares for her journey to Joe’s home. Maria goes upstairs to her little room once everything is cleared away to change out of her work clothes and into clothes fit for a party. As she does so, she recalls how she used to dress up for church as a young girl. Before she leaves, she admires her figure in the mirror. On her way to Joe’s house, Maria sets out in the rain to do some shopping for the Hallow Eve party. As she shops, Maria reflects sadly that Alphy will not be attending because the brothers are not speaking at the moment. She recalls how the pair used to be very close when they were younger but often fight as adults. Joe has, however, named his oldest son after Alphy.
Moving through the crowded streets, she visits two shops to buy penny cakes for the children and a special plum cake for Joe and his wife. The young woman behind the counter asks Maria if she is looking for a wedding cake which causes Maria to blush profusely. Once she has procured both cakes, Maria boards a crowded tram. She worries that she will have nowhere to sit but a “colonel-looking gentleman” kindly makes room for her. The pair chats casually during the ride about the weather and the party that she is attending. At Maria’s stop they cordially say goodbye to each other and Maria reflects on how easy he was to talk to.
Maria arrives at Joe’s front door and Joe, his wife, their children, and two girls from next door happily greet Maria. She distributes the sweets to the children who have been playing games but when she goes to present the plum cake to Joe and his wife, she cannot find the package. Maria desperately looks everywhere and asks all of the party guests if they have seen it but with no success. The Donnellys suggest that she probably left it on the tram, which makes Maria think about the man and she scolds herself for ruining her own surprise gift. She is filled with “shame and vexation and disappointment” that she allowed herself to be distracted by his presence. Joe consoles Maria and makes her sit by the fire with him. He begins to tell her stories about his office manager to distract her from the cake incident. Joe’s wife then starts to play the piano and all of the party guests proceed to dance and sing along. Joe then offers Maria nuts and wine. Maria insists that she does not need a drink but Joe will not take no for an answer.
