Улисс

           —Whatareyoudoing?Stephensaid.

           AStuartfaceofnonesuchCharles,lanklocksfallingatitssides.Itglowedasshecrouchedfeedingthefirewithbrokenboots.ItoldherofParis.Latelieabedunderaquiltofoldovercoats,fingeringapinchbeckbracelet,DanKelly’stoken.Nebrakadafemininum.

           —Whathaveyouthere?Stephenasked.

           —Iboughtitfromtheothercartforapenny,Dillysaid,laughingnervously.Isitanygood?

           Myeyestheysayshehas.Doothersseemeso?Quick,faranddaring.Shadowofmymind.

           Hetookthecoverlessbookfromherhand.Chardenal’sFrenchprimer.

           —Whatdidyoubuythatfor?heasked.TolearnFrench?

           Shenodded,reddeningandclosingtightherlips.

           Shownosurprise.Quitenatural.

           —Here,Stephensaid.It’sallright.MindMaggydoesn’tpawnitonyou.Isupposeallmybooksaregone.

           —Some,Dillysaid.Wehadto.

           Sheisdrowning.Agenbite.Saveher.Agenbite.Allagainstus.Shewilldrownmewithher,eyesandhair.Lankcoilsofseaweedhairaroundme,myheart,mysoul.Saltgreendeath.

           We.

           Agenbiteofinwit.Inwit’sagenbite.

           Misery!Misery!

           ***

           —Hello,Simon,FatherCowleysaid.Howarethings?

           —Hello,Bob,oldman,MrDedalusanswered,stopping.

           TheyclaspedhandsloudlyoutsideReddyandDaughter’s.FatherCowleybrushedhismoustacheoftendownwardwithascoopinghand.

           —What’sthebestnews?MrDedalussaid.

           —Whythennotmuch,FatherCowleysaid.I’mbarricadedup,Simon,withtwomenprowlingaroundthehousetryingtoeffectanentrance.

           —Jolly,MrDedalussaid.Whoisit?

           —O,FatherCowleysaid.