Улісс

           Stephen’sembarrassedhandmovedovertheshellsheapedinthecoldstonemortar:whelksandmoneycowriesandleopardshells:andthis,whorledasanemir’sturban,andthis,thescallopofsaintJames.Anoldpilgrim’shoard,deadtreasure,hollowshells.

           Asovereignfell,brightandnew,onthesoftpileofthetablecloth.

           —Three,MrDeasysaid,turninghislittlesavingsboxaboutinhishand.Thesearehandythingstohave.See.Thisisforsovereigns.Thisisforshillings.Sixpences,halfcrowns.Andherecrowns.See.

           Heshotfromittwocrownsandtwoshillings.

           —Threetwelve,hesaid.Ithinkyou’llfindthat’sright.

           —Thankyou,sir,Stephensaid,gatheringthemoneytogetherwithshyhasteandputtingitallinapocketofhistrousers.

           —Nothanksatall,MrDeasysaid.Youhaveearnedit.

           Stephen’shand,freeagain,wentbacktothehollowshells.Symbolstooofbeautyandofpower.Alumpinmypocket:symbolssoiledbygreedandmisery.

           —Don’tcarryitlikethat,MrDeasysaid.You’llpullitoutsomewhereandloseit.Youjustbuyoneofthesemachines.You’llfindthemveryhandy.

           Answersomething.

           —Minewouldbeoftenempty,Stephensaid.

           Thesameroomandhour,thesamewisdom:andIthesame.Threetimesnow.Threenoosesroundmehere.Well?IcanbreaktheminthisinstantifIwill.

           —Becauseyoudon’tsave,MrDeasysaid,pointinghisfinger.Youdon’tknowyetwhatmoneyis.Moneyispower.WhenyouhavelivedaslongasIhave.Iknow,Iknow.Ifyouthbutknew.ButwhatdoesShakespearesay?Putbutmoneyinthypurse.

           —Iago,Stephenmurmured.