Улісс

           Totellthetruthhewasmeaninfortunesandforthemostparthankeredaboutthecoffeehousesandlowtavernswithcrimps,ostlers,bookies,Paul’smen,runners,flatcaps,waistcoateers,ladiesofthebagnioandotherroguesofthegameorwithachanceablecatchpoleoratipstaffoftenatnightstillbroaddayofwhomhepickedupbetweenhissackpossetsmuchloosegossip.Hetookhisordinaryataboilingcook’sandifhehadbutgottenintohimamessofbrokenvictualsoraplatteroftripeswithabaretesterinhispursehecouldalwaysbringhimselfoffwithhistongue,somerandyquiphehadfromapunkorwhatnotthateverymother’ssonofthemwouldbursttheirsides.Theother,Costellothatis,hearingthistalkaskedwasitpoetryoratale.Faith,no,hesays,Frank(thatwashisname),’tisallaboutKerrycowsthataretobebutcheredalongoftheplague.Buttheycangohang,sayshewithawink,formewiththeirbullybeef,apoxonit.There’sasgoodfishinthistinasevercameoutofitandveryfriendlyheofferedtotakeofsomesaltyspratsthatstoodbywhichhehadeyedwishlyinthemeantimeandfoundtheplacewhichwasindeedthechiefdesignofhisembassyashewassharpset.Mortauxvaches,saysFrankthenintheFrenchlanguagethathadbeenindenturedtoabrandyshipperthathasawinelodgeinBordeauxandhespokeFrenchlikeagentlemantoo.