Улисс

           NolongerisLeopold,ashesitsthere,ruminating,chewingthecudofreminiscence,thatstaidagentofpublicityandholderofamodestsubstanceinthefunds.Ascoreofyearsareblownaway.HeisyoungLeopold.There,asinaretrospectivearrangement,amirrorwithinamirror(hey,presto!),hebeholdethhimself.Thatyoungfigureofthenisseen,precociouslymanly,walkingonanippingmorningfromtheoldhouseinClanbrassilstreettothehighschool,hisbooksatchelonhimbandolierwise,andinitagoodlyhunkofwheatenloaf,amother’sthought.Oritisthesamefigure,ayearorsogoneover,inhisfirsthardhat(ah,thatwasaday!),alreadyontheroad,afullfledgedtravellerforthefamilyfirm,equippedwithanorderbook,ascentedhandkerchief(notforshowonly),hiscaseofbrighttrinketware(alas!athingnowofthepast!)andaquiverfulofcompliantsmilesforthisorthathalfwonhousewifereckoningitoutuponherfingertipsorforabuddingvirgin,shylyacknowledging(buttheheart?tellme!)hisstudiedbaisemoins.Thescent,thesmile,but,morethanthese,thedarkeyesandoleaginousaddress,broughthomeatduskfallmanyacommissiontotheheadofthefirm,seatedwithJacob’spipeafterlikelaboursinthepaternalingle(amealofnoodles,youmaybesure,isaheating),readingthroughroundhornedspectaclessomepaperfromtheEuropeofamonthbefore.Buthey,presto,themirrorisbreathedonandtheyoungknighterrantrecedes,shrivels,dwindlestoatinyspeckwithinthemist.Nowheishimselfpaternalandtheseabouthimmightbehissons.