Улісс

           Howlifebegins.

           Gotbigthen.HadtorefusetheGreystonesconcert.Mysoninsideher.Icouldhavehelpedhimoninlife.Icould.Makehimindependent.LearnGermantoo.

           —Arewelate?MrPowerasked.

           —Tenminutes,MartinCunninghamsaid,lookingathiswatch.

           Molly.Milly.Samethingwatereddown.Hertomboyoaths.OjumpingJupiter!Yegodsandlittlefishes!Still,she’sadeargirl.Soonbeawoman.Mullingar.DearestPapli.Youngstudent.Yes,yes:awomantoo.Life,life.

           Thecarriageheeledoverandback,theirfourtrunksswaying.

           —Cornymighthavegivenusamorecommodiousyoke,MrPowersaid.

           —Hemight,MrDedalussaid,ifhehadn’tthatsquinttroublinghim.Doyoufollowme?

           Heclosedhislefteye.MartinCunninghambegantobrushawaycrustcrumbsfromunderhisthighs.

           —Whatisthis,hesaid,inthenameofGod?Crumbs?

           —Someoneseemstohavebeenmakingapicnicpartyherelately,MrPowersaid.

           Allraisedtheirthighsandeyedwithdisfavourthemildewedbuttonlessleatheroftheseats.MrDedalus,twistinghisnose,frowneddownwardandsaid:

           —UnlessI’mgreatlymistaken.Whatdoyouthink,Martin?

           —Itstruckmetoo,MartinCunninghamsaid.

           MrBloomsethisthighdown.GladItookthatbath.Feelmyfeetquiteclean.ButIwishMrsFleminghaddarnedthesesocksbetter.

           MrDedalussighedresignedly.

           —Afterall,hesaid,it’sthemostnaturalthingintheworld.

           —DidTomKernanturnup?MartinCunninghamasked,twirlingthepeakofhisbeardgently.

           —Yes,MrBloomanswered.He’sbehindwithNedLambertandHynes.

           —AndCornyKelleherhimself?MrPowerasked.