Улісс
Chapter 1
MrBloominthemeanwhilekeptdodgingaboutinthevicinityofthecobblestonesnearthebrazierofcokeinfrontofthecorporationwatchman’ssentryboxwhoevidentlyagluttonforwork,itstruckhim,washavingaquietfortywinksforallintentsandpurposesonhisownprivateaccountwhileDublinslept.HethrewanoddeyeatthesametimenowandthenatStephen’sanythingbutimmaculatelyattiredinterlocutorasifhehadseenthatnoblemansomewhereorotherthoughwherehewasnotinapositiontotruthfullystatenorhadhetheremotestideawhen.Beingalevelheadedindividualwhocouldgivepointstonotafewinpointofshrewdobservationhealsoremarkedonhisverydilapidatedhatandslouchywearingapparelgenerallytestifyingtoachronicimpecuniosity.Palpablyhewasoneofhishangersonbutforthematterofthatitwasmerelyaquestionofonepreyingonhisnextdoorneighbourallround,ineverydeep,sotoputit,adeeperdepthandforthematterofthatifthemaninthestreetchancedtobeinthedockhimselfpenalservitudewithorwithouttheoptionofafinewouldbeaveryraraavisaltogether.Inanycasehehadaconsummateamountofcoolassuranceinterceptingpeopleatthathourofthenightormorning.Prettythickthatwascertainly.
ThepairpartedcompanyandStephenrejoinedMrBloomwho,withhispractisedeye,wasnotwithoutperceivingthathehadsuccumbedtotheblandiloquenceoftheotherparasite.Alludingtotheencounterhesaid,laughingly,Stephen,thatis:
—Heisdownonhisluck.
