Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 2
Twoboyswerestandingintheshelterofadoorway,smoking,andbeforehereachedthemhehadrecognisedHeronbyhisvoice.
—HerecomesthenobleDedalus!criedahighthroatyvoice.Welcometoourtrustyfriend!
ThiswelcomeendedinasoftpealofmirthlesslaughterasHeronsalaamedandthenbegantopokethegroundwithhiscane.
—HereIam,saidStephen,haltingandglancingfromHerontohisfriend.
Thelatterwasastrangertohimbutinthedarkness,bytheaidoftheglowingcigarettetips,hecouldmakeoutapaledandyishfaceoverwhichasmilewastravellingslowly,atallovercoatedfigureandahardhat.Herondidnottroublehimselfaboutanintroductionbutsaidinstead:
—IwasjusttellingmyfriendWalliswhatalarkitwouldbetonightifyoutookofftherectorinthepartoftheschoolmaster.Itwouldbearippinggoodjoke.
HeronmadeapoorattempttoimitateforhisfriendWallistherector’spedanticbassandthen,laughingathisfailure,askedStephentodoit.
—Goon,Dedalus,heurged,youcantakehimoffrippingly.HETHATWILLNOTHEARTHECHURCHALETHIMBETOTHEEAASTHEHEATHENAANDTHEPUBLICANA.
TheimitationwaspreventedbyamildexpressionofangerfromWallisinwhosemouthpiecethecigarettehadbecometootightlywedged.
—Damnthisblanketyblankholder,hesaid,takingitfromhismouthandsmilingandfrowninguponittolerantly.
