Портрет художника в юності

           Hehadskinthesamecolourastheturf-colouredbogwaterintheshallowendofthebathandwhenhewalkedalongthesidehisfeetslappedloudlyonthewettilesandateverystephisthighsshookalittlebecausehewasfat.

           Therefectorywashalfemptyandthefellowswerestillpassingoutinfile.Hecouldgoupthestaircasebecausetherewasneverapriestoraprefectoutsidetherefectorydoor.Buthecouldnotgo.Therectorwouldsidewiththeprefectofstudiesandthinkitwasaschoolboytrickandthentheprefectofstudieswouldcomeineverydaythesame,onlyitwouldbeworsebecausehewouldbedreadfullywaxyatanyfellowgoinguptotherectorabouthim.Thefellowshadtoldhimtogobuttheywouldnotgothemselves.Theyhadforgottenallaboutit.No,itwasbesttoforgetallaboutitandperhapstheprefectofstudieshadOnlysaidhewouldcomein.No,itwasbesttohideoutofthewaybecausewhenyouweresmallandyoungyoucouldoftenescapethatway.

           Thefellowsathistablestoodup.Hestoodupandpassedoutamongtheminthefile.Hehadtodecide.Hewascomingnearthedoor.Ifhewentonwiththefellowshecouldnevergouptotherectorbecausehecouldnotleavetheplaygroundforthat.AndifhewentandwaspandiedallthesameallthefellowswouldmakefunandtalkaboutyoungDedalusgoinguptotherectortotellontheprefectofstudies.

           Hewaswalkingdownalongthemattingandhesawthedoorbeforehim.Itwasimpossible:hecouldnot.