Улісс

           IthinkI’lltroubleyouforsomefreshwaterandahalfglassofwhisky.

           Jingle.

           —Withthegreatestalacrity,missDouceagreed.

           WithgraceofalacritytowardsthemirrorgiltCantrellandCochrane’ssheturnedherself.Withgraceshetappedameasureofgoldwhiskyfromhercrystalkeg.ForthfromtheskirtofhiscoatMrDedalusbroughtpouchandpipe.Alacritysheserved.Heblewthroughthefluetwohuskyfifenotes.

           —ByJove,hemused,IoftenwantedtoseetheMournemountains.Mustbeagreattonicintheairdownthere.Butalongthreateningcomesatlast,theysay.Yes.Yes.

           Yes.Hefingeredshredsofhair,hermaidenhair,hermermaid’s,intothebowl.Chips.Shreds.Musing.Mute.

           Nonenoughtsaidnothing.Yes.

           GailymissDoucepolishedatumbler,trilling:

           —O,Idolores,queenoftheeasternseas!

           —WasMrLidwellintoday?

           IncameLenehan.RoundhimpeeredLenehan.MrBloomreachedEssexbridge.Yes,MrBloomcrossedbridgeofYessex.ToMarthaImustwrite.Buypaper.Daly’s.Girltherecivil.Bloom.OldBloom.Bluebloomisontherye.

           —Hewasinatlunchtime,missDoucesaid.

           Lenehancameforward.

           —WasMrBoylanlookingforme?

           Heasked.Sheanswered:

           —MissKennedy,wasMrBoylaninwhileIwasupstairs?

           Sheasked.MissvoiceofKennedyanswered,asecondteacuppoised,hergazeuponapage:

           —No.Hewasnot.

           MissgazeofKennedy,heard,notseen,readon.Lenehanroundthesandwichbellwoundhisroundbodyround.

           —Peep!Who’sinthecorner?

           NoglanceofKennedyrewardinghimheyetmadeovertures.Tomindherstops.Toreadonlytheblackones:roundoandcrookedess.