Улисс

           MillyhasapositiondowninMullingar,youknow.

           —Goaway!Isn’tthatgrandforher?

           —Yes.Inaphotographer’sthere.Gettingonlikeahouseonfire.Howareallyourcharges?

           —Allonthebaker’slist,MrsBreensaid.

           Howmanyhasshe?Nootherinsight.

           —You’reinblack,Isee.Youhaveno...

           —No,MrBloomsaid.Ihavejustcomefromafuneral.

           Goingtocropupallday,Iforesee.Who’sdead,whenandwhatdidhedieof?Turnuplikeabadpenny.

           —O,dearme,MrsBreensaid.Ihopeitwasn’tanynearrelation.

           Mayaswellgethersympathy.

           —Dignam,MrBloomsaid.Anoldfriendofmine.Hediedquitesuddenly,poorfellow.Hearttrouble,Ibelieve.Funeralwasthismorning.

           Yourfuneral’stomorrow

           Whileyou’recomingthroughtherye.

           Diddlediddledumdum

           Diddlediddle...

           —Sadtolosetheoldfriends,MrsBreen’swomaneyessaidmelancholily.

           Nowthat’squiteenoughaboutthat.Just:quietly:husband.

           —Andyourlordandmaster?

           MrsBreenturneduphertwolargeeyes.Hasn’tlostthemanyhow.

           —O,don’tbetalking!shesaid.He’sacautiontorattlesnakes.He’sintherenowwithhislawbooksfindingoutthelawoflibel.Hehasmeheartscalded.WaittillIshowyou.

           HotmockturtlevapourandsteamofnewbakedjampuffsrolypolypouredoutfromHarrison’s.TheheavynoonreektickledthetopofMrBloom’sgullet.Wanttomakegoodpastry,butter,bestflour,Demerarasugar,orthey’dtasteitwiththehottea.Orisitfromher?Abarefootarabstoodoverthegrating,breathinginthefumes.Deadenthegnawofhungerthatway.Pleasureorpainisit?Pennydinner.