Улісс
Chapter 2
Hepeeredfromunderhisshaggybrowsatthemanuscriptbyhiselbowand,muttering,begantoprodthestiffbuttonsofthekeyboardslowly,sometimesblowingashescrewedupthedrumtoeraseanerror.
Stephenseatedhimselfnoiselesslybeforetheprincelypresence.Framedaroundthewallsimagesofvanishedhorsesstoodinhomage,theirmeekheadspoisedinair:lordHastings’Repulse,thedukeofWestminster’sShotover,thedukeofBeaufort’sCeylon,prixdeParis,1866.Elfinriderssatthem,watchfulofasign.Hesawtheirspeeds,backingking’scolours,andshoutedwiththeshoutsofvanishedcrowds.
—Fullstop,MrDeasybadehiskeys.Butpromptventilationofthisallimportantquestion...
WhereCranlyledmetogetrichquick,huntinghiswinnersamongthemudsplashedbrakes,amidthebawlsofbookiesontheirpitchesandreekofthecanteen,overthemotleyslush.EvenmoneyFairRebel.Tentoonethefield.Dicersandthimbleriggerswehurriedbyafterthehoofs,thevyingcapsandjacketsandpastthemeatfacedwoman,abutcher’sdame,nuzzlingthirstilyhercloveoforange.
Shoutsrangshrillfromtheboys’playfieldandawhirringwhistle.
Again:agoal.Iamamongthem,amongtheirbattlingbodiesinamedley,thejoustoflife.Youmeanthatknockkneedmother’sdarlingwhoseemstobeslightlycrawsick?Jousts.Timeshockedrebounds,shockbyshock.Jousts,slushanduproarofbattles,thefrozendeathspewoftheslain,ashoutofspearspikesbaitedwithmen’sbloodiedguts.
—Nowthen,MrDeasysaid,rising.
Hecametothetable,pinningtogetherhissheets.Stephenstoodup.