Улісс
Chapter 10
Hewasbutelevenmonthsandninedaysoldand,thoughstillatinytoddler,wasjustbeginningtolisphisfirstbabyishwords.CissyCaffreybentovertohimtoteasehisfatlittleplucksandthedaintydimpleinhischin.
—Now,baby,CissyCaffreysaid.Sayoutbig,big.Iwantadrinkofwater.
Andbabyprattledafterher:
—Ajinkajinkajawbo.
CissyCaffreycuddledtheweechapforshewasawfullyfondofchildren,sopatientwithlittlesufferersandTommyCaffreycouldneverbegottotakehiscastoroilunlessitwasCissyCaffreythatheldhisnoseandpromisedhimthescattyheeloftheloaforbrownbreadwithgoldensyrupon.Whatapersuasivepowerthatgirlhad!ButtobesurebabyBoardmanwasasgoodasgold,aperfectlittledoteinhisnewfancybib.Noneofyourspoiltbeauties,FloraMacFlimsysort,wasCissyCaffrey.Atruerheartedlassneverdrewthebreathoflife,alwayswithalaughinhergipsylikeeyesandafrolicsomewordonhercherryriperedlips,agirllovableintheextreme.AndEdyBoardmanlaughedtooatthequaintlanguageoflittlebrother.
ButjustthentherewasaslightaltercationbetweenMasterTommyandMasterJacky.Boyswillbeboysandourtwotwinswerenoexceptiontothisgoldenrule.TheappleofdiscordwasacertaincastleofsandwhichMasterJackyhadbuiltandMasterTommywouldhaveitrightgowrongthatitwastobearchitecturallyimprovedbyafrontdoorliketheMartellotowerhad.