Улисс

           Ihaveoftenthoughtsinceonlookingbackoverthatstrangetimethatitwasthatsmallact,trivialinitself,thatstrikingofthatmatch,thatdeterminedthewholeaftercourseofbothourlives.

           APOLISHEDPERIOD

           J.J.O’Molloyresumed,mouldinghiswords:

           —Hesaidofit:thatstonyeffigyinfrozenmusic,hornedandterrible,ofthehumanformdivine,thateternalsymbolofwisdomandofprophecywhich,ifaughtthattheimaginationorthehandofsculptorhaswroughtinmarbleofsoultransfiguredandofsoultransfiguringdeservestolive,deservestolive.

           Hisslimhandwithawavegracedechoandfall.

           —Fine!MylesCrawfordsaidatonce.

           —Thedivineafflatus,MrO’MaddenBurkesaid.

           —Youlikeit?J.J.O’MolloyaskedStephen.

           Stephen,hisbloodwooedbygraceoflanguageandgesture,blushed.Hetookacigarettefromthecase.J.J.O’MolloyofferedhiscasetoMylesCrawford.Lenehanlittheircigarettesasbeforeandtookhistrophy,saying:

           —Muchibusthankibus.

           AMANOFHIGHMORALE

           —ProfessorMagenniswasspeakingtomeaboutyou,J.J.O’MolloysaidtoStephen.Whatdoyouthinkreallyofthathermeticcrowd,theopalhushpoets:A.E.themastermystic?ThatBlavatskywomanstartedit.Shewasaniceoldbagoftricks.A.E.hasbeentellingsomeyankeeinterviewerthatyoucametohiminthesmallhoursofthemorningtoaskhimaboutplanesofconsciousness.MagennisthinksyoumusthavebeenpullingA.E.’sleg.Heisamanoftheveryhighestmorale,Magennis.

           Speakingaboutme.Whatdidhesay?Whatdidhesay?Whatdidhesayaboutme?Don’task.