Портрет художника в юності

           Theuseofthewordinthemarketplaceisquitedifferent.IHOPEIAMNOTDETAININGYOU.

           —Notintheleast,saidthedeanpolitely.

           —No,no,saidStephen,smiling,Imean—

           —Yes,yes;Isee,saidthedeanquickly,Iquitecatchthepoint:DETAIN.

           Hethrustforwardhisunderjawandutteredadryshortcough.

           —Toreturntothelamp,hesaid,thefeedingofitisalsoaniceproblem.Youmustchoosethepureoilandyoumustbecarefulwhenyoupouritinnottooverflowit,nottopourinmorethanthefunnelcanhold.

           —Whatfunnel?askedStephen.

           —Thefunnelthroughwhichyoupourtheoilintoyourlamp.

           —That?saidStephen.Isthatcalledafunnel?Isitnotatundish?

           —Whatisatundish?

           —That.Thefunnel.

           —IsthatcalledatundishinIreland?askedthedean.Ineverheardthewordinmylife.

           —ItiscalledatundishinLowerDrumcondra,saidStephen,laughing,wheretheyspeakthebestEnglish.

           —Atundish,saidthedeanreflectively.Thatisamostinterestingword.Imustlookthatwordup.UponmywordImust.

           HiscourtesyofmannerrangalittlefalseandStephenlookedattheEnglishconvertwiththesameeyesastheelderbrotherintheparablemayhaveturnedontheprodigal.