Улисс

           He’sasafeman,I’dsay.

           —He’snottoobad,NoseyFlynnsaid,snufflingitup.He’sbeenknowntoputhishanddowntootohelpafellow.Givethedevilhisdue.O,Bloomhashisgoodpoints.Butthere’sonethinghe’llneverdo.

           Hishandscrawledadrypensignaturebesidehisgrog.

           —Iknow,DavyByrnesaid.

           —Nothinginblackandwhite,NoseyFlynnsaid.

           PaddyLeonardandBantamLyonscamein.TomRochfordfollowedfrowning,aplaininghandonhisclaretwaistcoat.

           —Day,MrByrne.

           —Day,gentlemen.

           Theypausedatthecounter.

           —Who’sstanding?PaddyLeonardasked.

           —I’msittinganyhow,NoseyFlynnanswered.

           —Well,what’llitbe?PaddyLeonardasked.

           —I’lltakeastoneginger,BantamLyonssaid.

           —Howmuch?PaddyLeonardcried.Sincewhen,forGod’sake?What’syours,Tom?

           —Howisthemaindrainage?NoseyFlynnasked,sipping.

           ForanswerTomRochfordpressedhishandtohisbreastboneandhiccupped.

           —WouldItroubleyouforaglassoffreshwater,MrByrne?hesaid.

           —Certainly,sir.

           PaddyLeonardeyedhisalemates.

           —Lordloveaduck,hesaid.LookatwhatI’mstandingdrinksto!Coldwaterandgingerpop!Twofellowsthatwouldsuckwhiskyoffasoreleg.HehassomebloodyhorseuphissleevefortheGoldcup.Adeadsnip.

           —Zinfandelisit?NoseyFlynnasked.

           TomRochfordspiltpowderfromatwistedpaperintothewatersetbeforehim.

           —Thatcurseddyspepsia,hesaidbeforedrinking.

           —Breadsodaisverygood,DavyByrnesaid.

           TomRochfordnoddedanddrank.

           —IsitZinfandel?

           —Saynothing!BantamLyonswinked.I’mgoingtoplungefivebobonmyown.