Улисс

           Hainesstoppedtotakeoutasmoothsilvercaseinwhichtwinkledagreenstone.Hesprangitopenwithhisthumbandofferedit.

           —Thankyou,Stephensaid,takingacigarette.

           Haineshelpedhimselfandsnappedthecaseto.Heputitbackinhissidepocketandtookfromhiswaistcoatpocketanickeltinderbox,sprangitopentoo,and,havinglithiscigarette,heldtheflamingspunktowardsStephenintheshellofhishands.

           —Yes,ofcourse,hesaid,astheywentonagain.Eitheryoubelieveoryoudon’t,isn’tit?PersonallyIcouldn’tstomachthatideaofapersonalGod.Youdon’tstandforthat,Isuppose?

           —Youbeholdinme,Stephensaidwithgrimdispleasure,ahorribleexampleoffreethought.

           Hewalkedon,waitingtobespokento,trailinghisashplantbyhisside.Itsferrulefollowedlightlyonthepath,squealingathisheels.Myfamiliar,afterme,calling,Steeeeeeeeeeeephen!Awaveringlinealongthepath.Theywillwalkonittonight,cominghereinthedark.Hewantsthatkey.Itismine.Ipaidtherent.NowIeathissaltbread.Givehimthekeytoo.All.Hewillaskforit.Thatwasinhiseyes.

           —Afterall,Hainesbegan...

           Stephenturnedandsawthatthecoldgazewhichhadmeasuredhimwasnotallunkind.

           —Afterall,Ishouldthinkyouareabletofreeyourself.Youareyourownmaster,itseemstome.

           —Iamaservantoftwomasters,Stephensaid,anEnglishandanItalian.

           —Italian?Hainessaid.

           Acrazyqueen,oldandjealous.Kneeldownbeforeme.

           —Andathird,Stephensaid,thereiswhowantsmeforoddjobs.

           —Italian?Hainessaidagain.