Улисс

           Itwasthebigfellowshovedme,sir.

           —Throwhimoutandshutthedoor,theeditorsaid.There’sahurricaneblowing.

           Lenehanbegantopawthetissuesupfromthefloor,gruntingashestoopedtwice.

           —Waitingfortheracingspecial,sir,thenewsboysaid.ItwasPatFarrellshovedme,sir.

           Hepointedtotwofacespeeringinroundthedoorframe.

           —Him,sir.

           —Outofthiswithyou,professorMacHughsaidgruffly.

           Hehustledtheboyoutandbangedthedoorto.

           J.J.O’Molloyturnedthefilescrackinglyover,murmuring,seeking:

           —Continuedonpagesix,columnfour.

           —Yes,EveningTelegraphhere,MrBloomphonedfromtheinneroffice.Istheboss...?Yes,Telegraph...Towhere?Aha!Whichauctionrooms?...Aha!Isee...Right.I’llcatchhim.

           ACOLLISIONENSUES

           Thebellwhirredagainasherangoff.HecameinquicklyandbumpedagainstLenehanwhowasstrugglingupwiththesecondtissue.

           —Pardon,monsieur,Lenehansaid,clutchinghimforaninstantandmakingagrimace.

           —Myfault,MrBloomsaid,sufferinghisgrip.Areyouhurt?I’minahurry.

           —Knee,Lenehansaid.

           Hemadeacomicfaceandwhined,rubbinghisknee:

           —TheaccumulationoftheannoDomini.

           —Sorry,MrBloomsaid.

           Hewenttothedoorand,holdingitajar,paused.J.J.O’Molloyslappedtheheavypagesover.Thenoiseoftwoshrillvoices,amouthorgan,echoedinthebarehallwayfromthenewsboyssquattedonthedoorsteps:

           WearetheboysofWexford

           Whofoughtwithheartandhand.

           EXITBLOOM

           —I’mjustrunningroundtoBachelor’swalk,MrBloomsaid,aboutthisadofKeyes’s.Wanttofixitup.