Улисс

           Shewasreadingthecard,proppedonherelbow.

           —Shegotthethings,shesaid.

           Hewaitedtillshehadlaidthecardasideandcurledherselfbackslowlywithasnugsigh.

           —Hurryupwiththattea,shesaid.I’mparched.

           —Thekettleisboiling,hesaid.

           Buthedelayedtoclearthechair:herstripedpetticoat,tossedsoiledlinen:andliftedallinanarmfulontothefootofthebed.

           Ashewentdownthekitchenstairsshecalled:

           —Poldy!

           —What?

           —Scaldtheteapot.

           Ontheboilsureenough:aplumeofsteamfromthespout.Hescaldedandrinsedouttheteapotandputinfourfullspoonsoftea,tiltingthekettlethentoletthewaterflowin.Havingsetittodrawhetookoffthekettle,crushedthepanflatonthelivecoalsandwatchedthelumpofbutterslideandmelt.Whileheunwrappedthekidneythecatmewedhungrilyagainsthim.Givehertoomuchmeatshewon’tmouse.Saytheywon’teatpork.Kosher.Here.Heletthebloodsmearedpaperfalltoheranddroppedthekidneyamidthesizzlingbuttersauce.Pepper.Hesprinkleditthroughhisfingersringwisefromthechippedeggcup.

           Thenheslitopenhisletter,glancingdownthepageandover.Thanks:newtam:MrCoghlan:loughOwelpicnic:youngstudent:BlazesBoylan’sseasidegirls.

           Theteawasdrawn.Hefilledhisownmoustachecup,shamcrownDerby,smiling.SillyMilly’sbirthdaygift.Onlyfiveshewasthen.No,wait:four.Igavehertheamberoidnecklaceshebroke.Puttingpiecesoffoldedbrownpaperintheletterboxforher.Hesmiled,pouring.

           O,MillyBloom,youaremydarling.

           Youaremylookingglassfromnighttomorning.