Улисс

           )

           TOMANDSAM:

           There’ssomeoneinthehousewithDina

           There’ssomeoneinthehouse,Iknow,

           There’ssomeoneinthehousewithDina

           Playingontheoldbanjo.

           (Theywhiskblackmasksfromrawbabbyfaces:then,chuckling,chortling,trumming,twanging,theydiddlediddlecakewalkdanceaway.)

           BLOOM:(Withasourtenderishsmile.)Alittlefrivol,shallwe,ifyouaresoinclined?Wouldyoulikemeperhapstoembraceyoujustforafractionofasecond?

           MRSBREEN:(Screamsgaily.)O,youruck!Yououghttoseeyourself!

           BLOOM:Foroldsake’sake.Ionlymeantasquareparty,amixedmarriageminglingofourdifferentlittleconjugials.YouknowIhadasoftcornerforyou.(Gloomily.)’TwasIsentyouthatvalentineofthedeargazelle.

           MRSBREEN:GloryAlice,youdolookaholyshow!Killingsimply.(Sheputsoutherhandinquisitively.)Whatareyouhidingbehindyourback?Tellus,there’sadear.

           BLOOM:(Seizesherwristwithhisfreehand.)JosiePowellthatwas,prettiestdebinDublin.Howtimefliesby!Doyouremember,harkingbackinaretrospectivearrangement,OldChristmasnight,GeorginaSimpson’shousewarmingwhiletheywereplayingtheIrvingBishopgame,findingthepinblindfoldandthoughtreading?Subject,whatisinthissnuffbox?

           MRSBREEN:Youwerethelionofthenightwithyourseriocomicrecitationandyoulookedthepart.Youwerealwaysafavouritewiththeladies.

           BLOOM:(Squireofdames,indinnerjacketwithwateredsilkfacings,bluemasonicbadgeinhisbuttonhole,blackbowandmother-of-pearlstuds,aprismaticchampagneglasstiltedinhishand.