Улисс

           Goodforthecountry.Thosefarmersarealwaysgrumbling.I’lljusttakeathimblefulofyourbestgin,MrCrimmins.Asmallgin,sir.Yes,sir.TerribleaffairthatGeneralSlocumexplosion.Terrible,terrible!Athousandcasualties.Andheartrendingscenes.Mentramplingdownwomenandchildren.Mostbrutalthing.Whatdotheysaywasthecause?Spontaneouscombustion.Mostscandalousrevelation.Notasinglelifeboatwouldfloatandthefirehoseallburst.WhatIcan’tunderstandishowtheinspectorseverallowedaboatlikethat...Now,you’retalkingstraight,MrCrimmins.Youknowwhy?Palmoil.Isthatafact?Withoutadoubt.Wellnow,lookatthat.AndAmericatheysayisthelandofthefree.Ithoughtwewerebadhere.

           Ismiledathim.America,Isaidquietly,justlikethat.Whatisit?Thesweepingsofeverycountryincludingourown.Isn’tthattrue?That’safact.

           Graft,mydearsir.Well,ofcourse,wherethere’smoneygoingthere’salwayssomeonetopickitup.

           Sawhimlookingatmyfrockcoat.Dressdoesit.Nothinglikeadressyappearance.Bowlsthemover.

           —Hello,Simon,FatherCowleysaid.Howarethings?

           —Hello,Bob,oldman,MrDedalusanswered,stopping.

           MrKernanhaltedandpreenedhimselfbeforetheslopingmirrorofPeterKennedy,hairdresser.Stylishcoat,beyondadoubt.ScottofDawsonstreet.WellworththehalfsovereignIgaveNearyforit.Neverbuiltunderthreeguineas.Fitsmedowntotheground.SomeKildarestreetclubtoffhaditprobably.JohnMulligan,themanageroftheHibernianbank,gavemeaverysharpeyeyesterdayonCarlislebridgeasifherememberedme.