Улисс

           —Hehadagoodsliceofluck,JackMooneywastellingme,overthatboxingmatchMylerKeoghwonagainthatsoldierinthePortobellobarracks.ByGod,hehadthelittlekipperdowninthecountyCarlowhewastellingme...

           Hopethatdewdropdoesn’tcomedownintohisglass.No,snuffleditup.

           —Fornearamonth,man,beforeitcameoff.SuckingduckeggsbyGodtillfurtherorders.Keephimofftheboose,see?O,byGod,Blazesisahairychap.

           DavyByrnecameforwardfromthehindbarintuckstitchedshirtsleeves,cleaninghislipswithtwowipesofhisnapkin.Herring’sblush.Whosesmileuponeachfeatureplayswithsuchandsuchreplete.Toomuchfatontheparsnips.

           —Andhere’shimselfandpepperonhim,NoseyFlynnsaid.CanyougiveusagoodonefortheGoldcup?

           —I’moffthat,MrFlynn,DavyByrneanswered.Ineverputanythingonahorse.

           —You’rerightthere,NoseyFlynnsaid.

           MrBloomatehisstripsofsandwich,freshcleanbread,withrelishofdisgustpungentmustard,thefeetysavourofgreencheese.Sipsofhiswinesoothedhispalate.Notlogwoodthat.Tastesfullerthisweatherwiththechilloff.

           Nicequietbar.Nicepieceofwoodinthatcounter.Nicelyplaned.Likethewayitcurvesthere.

           —Iwouldn’tdoanythingatallinthatline,DavyByrnesaid.Itruinedmanyaman,thesamehorses.

           Vintners’sweepstake.Licensedforthesaleofbeer,wineandspiritsforconsumptiononthepremises.HeadsIwintailsyoulose.

           —Trueforyou,NoseyFlynnsaid.Unlessyou’reintheknow.There’snostraightsportgoingnow.Lenehangetssomegoodones.He’sgivingSceptretoday.