Улисс

           MrBloomraisedacaketohisnostrils.Sweetlemonywax.

           —I’lltakethisone,hesaid.Thatmakesthreeandapenny.

           —Yes,sir,thechemistsaid.Youcanpayalltogether,sir,whenyoucomeback.

           —Good,MrBloomsaid.

           Hestrolledoutoftheshop,thenewspaperbatonunderhisarmpit,thecoolwrapperedsoapinhislefthand.

           AthisarmpitBantamLyons’voiceandhandsaid:

           —Hello,Bloom.What’sthebestnews?Isthattoday’s?Showusaminute.

           Shavedoffhismoustacheagain,byJove!Longcoldupperlip.Tolookyounger.Hedoeslookbalmy.YoungerthanIam.

           BantamLyons’syellowblacknailedfingersunrolledthebaton.Wantsawashtoo.Takeofftheroughdirt.Goodmorning,haveyouusedPears’soap?Dandruffonhisshoulders.Scalpwantsoiling.

           —IwanttoseeaboutthatFrenchhorsethat’srunningtoday,BantamLyonssaid.Wherethebuggerisit?

           Herustledthepleatedpages,jerkinghischinonhishighcollar.Barber’sitch.Tightcollarhe’lllosehishair.Betterleavehimthepaperandgetshutofhim.

           —Youcankeepit,MrBloomsaid.

           —Ascot.Goldcup.Wait,BantamLyonsmuttered.Halfamo.Maximumthesecond.

           —Iwasjustgoingtothrowitaway,MrBloomsaid.

           BantamLyonsraisedhiseyessuddenlyandleeredweakly.

           —What’sthat?hissharpvoicesaid.

           —Isayyoucankeepit,MrBloomanswered.Iwasgoingtothrowitawaythatmoment.

           BantamLyonsdoubtedaninstant,leering:thenthrusttheoutspreadsheetsbackonMrBloom’sarms.

           —I’llriskit,hesaid.Here,thanks.

           HespedofftowardsConway’scorner.Godspeedscut.