Улісс
Chapter 1
O,Ishallexpire!Breakthenewstohergently,Aubrey!Ishalldie!Withslitribbonsofhisshirtwhippingtheairhehopsandhobblesroundthetable,withtrousersdownatheels,chasedbyAdesofMagdalenwiththetailor’sshears.Ascaredcalf’sfacegildedwithmarmalade.Idon’twanttobedebagged!Don’tyouplaythegiddyoxwithme!
Shoutsfromtheopenwindowstartlingeveninginthequadrangle.Adeafgardener,aproned,maskedwithMatthewArnold’sface,pusheshismoweronthesombrelawnwatchingnarrowlythedancingmotesofgrasshalms.
Toourselves...newpaganism...omphalos.
—Lethimstay,Stephensaid.There’snothingwrongwithhimexceptatnight.
—Thenwhatisit?BuckMulliganaskedimpatiently.Coughitup.I’mquitefrankwithyou.Whathaveyouagainstmenow?
Theyhalted,lookingtowardsthebluntcapeofBrayHeadthatlayonthewaterlikethesnoutofasleepingwhale.Stephenfreedhisarmquietly.
—Doyouwishmetotellyou?heasked.
—Yes,whatisit?BuckMulligananswered.Idon’trememberanything.
HelookedinStephen’sfaceashespoke.Alightwindpassedhisbrow,fanningsoftlyhisfairuncombedhairandstirringsilverpointsofanxietyinhiseyes.
Stephen,depressedbyhisownvoice,said:
—DoyourememberthefirstdayIwenttoyourhouseaftermymother’sdeath?
BuckMulliganfrownedquicklyandsaid:
—What?Where?Ican’trememberanything.Irememberonlyideasandsensations.Why?WhathappenedinthenameofGod?
—Youweremakingtea,Stephensaid,andwentacrossthelandingtogetmorehotwater.