Улісс

           Shedrewdownpensive(whydidhegosoquickwhenI?)aboutherbronze,overthebarwherebaldstoodbysistergold,inexquisitecontrast,contrastinexquisitenonexquisite,slowcooldimseagreenslidingdepthofshadow,eaudeNil.

           —PooroldGoodwinwasthepianistthatnight,FatherCowleyremindedthem.TherewasaslightdifferenceofopinionbetweenhimselfandtheCollardgrand.

           Therewas.

           —Asymposiumallhisown,MrDedalussaid.Thedevilwouldn’tstophim.Hewasacrotchetyoldfellowintheprimarystageofdrink.

           —God,doyouremember?BenbulkyDollardsaid,turningfromthepunishedkeyboard.AndbyJapersIhadnoweddinggarment.

           Theylaughedallthree.Hehadnowed.Alltriolaughed.Noweddinggarment.

           —OurfriendBloomturnedinhandythatnight,MrDedalussaid.Where’smypipe,bytheway?

           Hewanderedbacktothebartothelostchordpipe.BaldPatcarriedtwodiners’drinks,RichieandPoldy.AndFatherCowleylaughedagain.

           —Isavedthesituation,Ben,Ithink.

           —Youdid,averredBenDollard.Irememberthosetighttrouserstoo.Thatwasabrilliantidea,Bob.

           FatherCowleyblushedtohisbrilliantpurplylobes.Hesavedthesitua.Tighttrou.Brilliantide.

           —Iknewhewasontherocks,hesaid.ThewifewasplayingthepianointhecoffeepalaceonSaturdaysforaverytriflingconsiderationandwhowasitgavemethewheezeshewasdoingtheotherbusiness?Doyouremember?WehadtosearchallHollesstreettofindthemtillthechapinKeogh’sgaveusthenumber.Remember?

           Benremembered,hisbroadvisagewondering.