Улісс
Chapter 7
Theshopman’suncombedgreyheadcameoutandhisunshavenreddenedface,coughing.Herakedhisthroatrudely,pukedphlegmonthefloor.Heputhisbootonwhathehadspat,wipinghissolealongit,andbent,showingarawskinnedcrown,scantilyhaired.
MrBloombeheldit.
Masteringhistroubledbreath,hesaid:
—I’lltakethisone.
Theshopmanliftedeyesblearedwitholdrheum.
—SweetsofSin,hesaid,tappingonit.That’sagoodone.
***
ThelacqueybythedoorofDillon’sauctionroomsshookhishandbelltwiceagainandviewedhimselfinthechalkedmirrorofthecabinet.
DillyDedalus,loiteringbythecurbstone,heardthebeatsofthebell,thecriesoftheauctioneerwithin.Fourandnine.Thoselovelycurtains.Fiveshillings.Cosycurtains.Sellingnewattwoguineas.Anyadvanceonfiveshillings?Goingforfiveshillings.
Thelacqueyliftedhishandbellandshookit:
—Barang!
Bangofthelastlapbellspurredthehalfmilewheelmentotheirsprint.J.A.Jackson,W.E.Wylie,A.MunroandH.T.Gahan,theirstretchedneckswagging,negotiatedthecurvebytheCollegelibrary.
MrDedalus,tuggingalongmoustache,cameroundfromWilliams’srow.Hehaltednearhisdaughter.
—It’stimeforyou,shesaid.
—StandupstraightfortheloveofthelordJesus,MrDedalussaid.AreyoutryingtoimitateyouruncleJohn,thecornetplayer,headuponshoulder?MelancholyGod!
Dillyshruggedhershoulders.MrDedalusplacedhishandsonthemandheldthemback.
—Standupstraight,girl,hesaid.You’llgetcurvatureofthespine.
