Портрет художника в юности

           Youknowthatwell.Whydoyoumakeasceneaboutit?

           —Good!saidMacCann,smackinghislips.Youareareactionary,then?

           —Doyouthinkyouimpressme,Stephenasked,whenyouflourishyourwoodensword?

           —Metaphors!saidMacCannbluntly.Cometofacts.Stephenblushedandturnedaside.MacCannstoodhisgroundandsaidwithhostilehumour:

           —Minorpoets,Isuppose,areabovesuchtrivialquestionsasthequestionofuniversalpeace.

           Cranlyraisedhisheadandheldthehandballbetweenthetwostudentsbywayofapeace-offering,saying:

           —PAXSUPERTOTUMSANGUINARIUMGLOBUM.

           Stephen,movingawaythebystanders,jerkedhisshoulderangrilyinthedirectionoftheTsar’simage,saying:

           —Keepyouricon.IfwemusthaveaJesusletushavealegitimateJesus.

           —Byhell,that’sagoodone!saidthegipsystudenttothoseabouthim,that’safineexpression.Ilikethatexpressionimmensely.

           Hegulpeddownthespittleinhisthroatasifheweregulpingdownthephraseand,fumblingatthepeakofhistweedcap,turnedtoStephen,saying:

           —Excuseme,sir,whatdoyoumeanbythatexpressionyouutteredjustnow?

           Feelinghimselfjostledbythestudentsnearhim,hesaidtothem:

           —Iamcurioustoknownowwhathemeantbythatexpression.