Улісс
Chapter 1
Stephen,takinghisashplantfromitsleaningplace,followedthemoutand,astheywentdowntheladder,pulledtotheslowirondoorandlockedit.Heputthehugekeyinhisinnerpocket.
AtthefootoftheladderBuckMulliganasked:
—Didyoubringthekey?
—Ihaveit,Stephensaid,precedingthem.
Hewalkedon.BehindhimheheardBuckMulliganclubwithhisheavybathtoweltheleadershootsoffernsorgrasses.
—Down,sir!Howdareyou,sir!
Hainesasked:
—Doyoupayrentforthistower?
—Twelvequid,BuckMulligansaid.
—Tothesecretaryofstateforwar,Stephenaddedoverhisshoulder.
TheyhaltedwhileHainessurveyedthetowerandsaidatlast:
—Ratherbleakinwintertime,Ishouldsay.Martelloyoucallit?
—BillyPitthadthembuilt,BuckMulligansaid,whentheFrenchwereonthesea.Butoursistheomphalos.
—WhatisyourideaofHamlet?HainesaskedStephen.
—No,no,BuckMulliganshoutedinpain.I’mnotequaltoThomasAquinasandthefiftyfivereasonshehasmadeouttopropitup.WaittillIhaveafewpintsinmefirst.
HeturnedtoStephen,saying,ashepulleddownneatlythepeaksofhisprimrosewaistcoat:
—Youcouldn’tmanageitunderthreepints,Kinch,couldyou?
—Ithaswaitedsolong,Stephensaidlistlessly,itcanwaitlonger.
—Youpiquemycuriosity,Hainessaidamiably.Isitsomeparadox?
—Pooh!BuckMulligansaid.WehavegrownoutofWildeandparadoxes.It’squitesimple.HeprovesbyalgebrathatHamlet’sgrandsonisShakespeare’sgrandfatherandthathehimselfistheghostofhisownfather.
—What?Hainessaid,beginningtopointatStephen.
