Улисс

           O,Ishallexpire!Breakthenewstohergently,Aubrey!Ishalldie!Withslitribbonsofhisshirtwhippingtheairhehopsandhobblesroundthetable,withtrousersdownatheels,chasedbyAdesofMagdalenwiththetailor’sshears.Ascaredcalf’sfacegildedwithmarmalade.Idon’twanttobedebagged!Don’tyouplaythegiddyoxwithme!

           Shoutsfromtheopenwindowstartlingeveninginthequadrangle.Adeafgardener,aproned,maskedwithMatthewArnold’sface,pusheshismoweronthesombrelawnwatchingnarrowlythedancingmotesofgrasshalms.

           Toourselves...newpaganism...omphalos.

           —Lethimstay,Stephensaid.There’snothingwrongwithhimexceptatnight.

           —Thenwhatisit?BuckMulliganaskedimpatiently.Coughitup.I’mquitefrankwithyou.Whathaveyouagainstmenow?

           Theyhalted,lookingtowardsthebluntcapeofBrayHeadthatlayonthewaterlikethesnoutofasleepingwhale.Stephenfreedhisarmquietly.

           —Doyouwishmetotellyou?heasked.

           —Yes,whatisit?BuckMulligananswered.Idon’trememberanything.

           HelookedinStephen’sfaceashespoke.Alightwindpassedhisbrow,fanningsoftlyhisfairuncombedhairandstirringsilverpointsofanxietyinhiseyes.

           Stephen,depressedbyhisownvoice,said:

           —DoyourememberthefirstdayIwenttoyourhouseaftermymother’sdeath?

           BuckMulliganfrownedquicklyandsaid:

           —What?Where?Ican’trememberanything.Irememberonlyideasandsensations.Why?WhathappenedinthenameofGod?

           —Youweremakingtea,Stephensaid,andwentacrossthelandingtogetmorehotwater.