Улисс

           Hepeeredfromunderhisshaggybrowsatthemanuscriptbyhiselbowand,muttering,begantoprodthestiffbuttonsofthekeyboardslowly,sometimesblowingashescrewedupthedrumtoeraseanerror.

           Stephenseatedhimselfnoiselesslybeforetheprincelypresence.Framedaroundthewallsimagesofvanishedhorsesstoodinhomage,theirmeekheadspoisedinair:lordHastings’Repulse,thedukeofWestminster’sShotover,thedukeofBeaufort’sCeylon,prixdeParis,1866.Elfinriderssatthem,watchfulofasign.Hesawtheirspeeds,backingking’scolours,andshoutedwiththeshoutsofvanishedcrowds.

           —Fullstop,MrDeasybadehiskeys.Butpromptventilationofthisallimportantquestion...

           WhereCranlyledmetogetrichquick,huntinghiswinnersamongthemudsplashedbrakes,amidthebawlsofbookiesontheirpitchesandreekofthecanteen,overthemotleyslush.EvenmoneyFairRebel.Tentoonethefield.Dicersandthimbleriggerswehurriedbyafterthehoofs,thevyingcapsandjacketsandpastthemeatfacedwoman,abutcher’sdame,nuzzlingthirstilyhercloveoforange.

           Shoutsrangshrillfromtheboys’playfieldandawhirringwhistle.

           Again:agoal.Iamamongthem,amongtheirbattlingbodiesinamedley,thejoustoflife.Youmeanthatknockkneedmother’sdarlingwhoseemstobeslightlycrawsick?Jousts.Timeshockedrebounds,shockbyshock.Jousts,slushanduproarofbattles,thefrozendeathspewoftheslain,ashoutofspearspikesbaitedwithmen’sbloodiedguts.

           —Nowthen,MrDeasysaid,rising.

           Hecametothetable,pinningtogetherhissheets.Stephenstoodup.