Улісс

           Poisonedhimself?

           Heglancedbehindhimtowhereafacewithdarkthinkingeyesfollowedtowardsthecardinal’smausoleum.Speaking.

           —Washeinsured?MrBloomasked.

           —Ibelieveso,MrKernananswered.Butthepolicywasheavilymortgaged.MartinistryingtogettheyoungsterintoArtane.

           —Howmanychildrendidheleave?

           —Five.NedLambertsayshe’lltrytogetoneofthegirlsintoTodd’s.

           —Asadcase,MrBloomsaidgently.Fiveyoungchildren.

           —Agreatblowtothepoorwife,MrKernanadded.

           —Indeedyes,MrBloomagreed.

           Hasthelaughathimnow.

           Helookeddownatthebootshehadblackedandpolished.Shehadoutlivedhim.Lostherhusband.Moredeadforherthanforme.Onemustoutlivetheother.Wisemensay.Therearemorewomenthanmenintheworld.Condolewithher.Yourterribleloss.Ihopeyou’llsoonfollowhim.ForHinduwidowsonly.Shewouldmarryanother.Him?No.Yetwhoknowsafter.Widowhoodnotthethingsincetheoldqueendied.Drawnonaguncarriage.VictoriaandAlbert.Frogmorememorialmourning.Butintheendsheputafewvioletsinherbonnet.Vaininherheartofhearts.Allforashadow.Consortnotevenaking.Hersonwasthesubstance.Somethingnewtohopefornotlikethepastshewantedback,waiting.Itnevercomes.Onemustgofirst:alone,undertheground:andlienomoreinherwarmbed.

           —Howareyou,Simon?NedLambertsaidsoftly,claspinghands.Haven’tseenyouforamonthofSundays.

           —Neverbetter.HowareallinCork’sowntown?

           —IwasdowntherefortheCorkparkracesonEasterMonday,NedLambertsaid.Sameoldsixandeightpence.