Улісс
Chapter 1
—Metempsychosis,hesaid,iswhattheancientGreekscalledit.Theyusedtobelieveyoucouldbechangedintoananimaloratree,forinstance.Whattheycallednymphs,forexample.
Herspoonceasedtostirupthesugar.Shegazedstraightbeforeher,inhalingthroughherarchednostrils.
—There’sasmellofburn,shesaid.Didyouleaveanythingonthefire?
—Thekidney!hecriedsuddenly.
Hefittedthebookroughlyintohisinnerpocketand,stubbinghistoesagainstthebrokencommode,hurriedouttowardsthesmell,steppinghastilydownthestairswithaflurriedstork’slegs.Pungentsmokeshotupinanangryjetfromasideofthepan.Byproddingaprongoftheforkunderthekidneyhedetacheditandturneditturtleonitsback.Onlyalittleburnt.Hetosseditoffthepanontoaplateandletthescantybrowngravytrickleoverit.
Cupofteanow.Hesatdown,cutandbutteredasliceoftheloaf.Heshoreawaytheburntfleshandflungittothecat.Thenheputaforkfulintohismouth,chewingwithdiscernmentthetoothsomepliantmeat.Donetoaturn.Amouthfuloftea.Thenhecutawaydiesofbread,soppedoneinthegravyandputitinhismouth.Whatwasthataboutsomeyoungstudentandapicnic?Hecreasedouttheletterathisside,readingitslowlyashechewed,soppinganotherdieofbreadinthegravyandraisingittohismouth.
DearestPapli
Thankseversomuchforthelovelybirthdaypresent.Itsuitsmesplendid.EveryonesaysIamquitethebelleinmynewtam.Igotmummy’slovelyboxofcreamsandamwriting.Theyarelovely.
