Улисс

           Pincushions.I’malongtimethreateningtobuyone.Stickingthemallovertheplace.Needlesinwindowcurtains.

           Hebaredslightlyhisleftforearm.Scrape:nearlygone.Nottodayanyhow.Mustgobackforthatlotion.Forherbirthdayperhaps.Junejulyaugseptembereighth.Nearlythreemonthsoff.Thenshemightn’tlikeit.Womenwon’tpickuppins.Sayitcutslo.

           Gleamingsilks,petticoatsonslimbrassrails,raysofflatsilkstockings.

           Uselesstogoback.Hadtobe.Tellmeall.

           Highvoices.Sunwarmsilk.Jinglingharnesses.Allforawoman,homeandhouses,silkwebs,silver,richfruitsspicyfromJaffa.AgendathNetaim.Wealthoftheworld.

           Awarmhumanplumpnesssettleddownonhisbrain.Hisbrainyielded.Perfumeofembracesallhimassailed.Withhungeredfleshobscurely,hemutelycravedtoadore.

           Dukestreet.Hereweare.Musteat.TheBurton.Feelbetterthen.

           HeturnedCombridge’scorner,stillpursued.Jingling,hoofthuds.Perfumedbodies,warm,full.Allkissed,yielded:indeepsummerfields,tangledpressedgrass,intricklinghallwaysoftenements,alongsofas,creakingbeds.

           —Jack,love!

           —Darling!

           —Kissme,Reggy!

           —Myboy!

           —Love!

           HisheartastirhepushedinthedooroftheBurtonrestaurant.Stinkgrippedhistremblingbreath:pungentmeatjuice,slushofgreens.Seetheanimalsfeed.

           Men,men,men.

           Perchedonhighstoolsbythebar,hatsshovedback,atthetablescallingformorebreadnocharge,swilling,wolfinggobfulsofsloppyfood,theireyesbulging,wipingwettedmoustaches.Apallidsuetfacedyoungmanpolishedhistumblerknifeforkandspoonwithhisnapkin.