Портрет художника в юности
Chapter 5
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.