Calypso
MRLEOPOLDBLOOMATEWITHRELISHTHEINNERORGANSOFBEASTSandfowls。Helikedthickgibletsoup，nuttygizzards，astuffedroastheart，liverslicesfriedwithcrustcrumbs，friedhencod’sroes。Mostofallhelikedgrilledmuttonkidneyswhichgavetohispalateafinetangoffaintlyscentedurine。
Kidneyswereinhismindashemovedaboutthekitchensoftly，rightingherbreakfastthingsonthehumpytray。Gelidlightandairwereinthekitchenbutoutofdoorsgentlesummermorningeverywhere。Madehimfeelabitpeckish。
Thecoalswerereddening。
Anothersliceofbreadandbutter:three，four:right。Shedidn’tlikeherplatefull。Right。Heturnedfromthetray，liftedthekettleoffthehobandsetitsidewaysonthefire。Itsatthere，dullandsquat，itsspoutstuckout。Cupofteasoon。Good。Mouthdry。Thecatwalkedstifflyroundalegofthetablewithtailonhigh——
Mkgnao！——
O，thereyouare，MrBloomsaid，turningfromthefire。
Thecatmewedinanswerandstalkedagainstifflyroundalegofthetable，mewing。Justhowshestalksovermywriting-table。Prr。Scratchmyhead。Prr。
MrBloomwatchedcuriously，kindly，thelitheblackform。Cleantosee:theglossofhersleekhide，thewhitebuttonunderthebuttofhertail，thegreenflashingeyes。Hebentdowntoher，hishandsonhisknees——
Milkforthepussens，hesaid——
Mrkgnao！thecatcried。
Theycallthemstupid。Theyunderstandwhatwesaybetterthanweunderstandthem。Sheunderstandsallshewantsto。Vindictivetoo。WonderwhatIlookliketoher。Heightofatower？No，shecanjumpme——
Afraidofthechickenssheis，hesaidmockingly。Afraidofthechookchooks。Ineversawsuchastupidpussensasthepussens。
Cruel。Hernature。Curiousmiceneversqueal。Seemtolikeit——
Mrkrgnao！thecatsaidloudly。
Sheblinkedupoutofheravidshameclosingeyes，mewingplaintivelyandlong，showinghimhermilkwhiteteeth。Hewatchedthedarkeyeslitsnarrowingwithgreedtillhereyesweregreenstones。Thenhewenttothedresser，tookthejugHanlon’smilkmanhadjustfilledforhim，pouredwarmbubbledmilkonasaucerandsetitslowlyonthefloor——
Gurrhr！shecried，runningtolap。
Hewatchedthebristlesshiningwirilyintheweaklightasshetippedthreetimesandlickedlightly。Wonderisittrueifyouclipthemtheycan’tmouseafter。Why？Theyshineinthedark，perhaps，thetips。Orkindoffeelersinthedark，perhaps。
Helistenedtoherlickinglap。Hamandeggs，no。Nogoodeggswiththisdrouth。Wantpurefreshwater。Thursday:notagooddayeitherforamuttonkidneyatBuckley’s。Friedwithbutter，ashakeofpepper。BetteraporkkidneyatDlugacz’s。Whilethekettleisboiling。Shelappedslower，thenlickingthesaucerclean。Whyaretheirtonguessorough？Tolapbetter，allporousholes。Nothingshecaneat？Heglancedroundhim。No。
Onquietlycreakybootshewentupthestaircasetothehall，pausedbythebedroomdoor。Shemightlikesomethingtasty。Thinbreadandbuttershelikesinthemorning。Stillperhaps:onceinaway。
Hesaidsoftlyinthebarehall:——
Iamgoingroundthecorner。Bebackinaminute。
Andwhenhehadheardhisvoicesayitheadded:——
Youdon’twantanythingforbreakfast？
Asleepysoftgruntanswered:——
Mn。
No。Shedidnotwantanything。Heheardthenawarmheavysigh，softer，assheturnedoverandtheloosebrassquoitsofthebedsteadjingled。Mustgetthosesettledreally。Pity。AllthewayfromGibraltar。ForgottenanylittleSpanishsheknew。Wonderwhatherfathergaveforit。Oldstyle。Ahyes，ofcourse。Boughtitatthegovernor’sauction。Gotashortknock。Hardasnailsatabargain，oldTweedy。Yes，sir。AtPlevnathatwas。Irosefromtheranks，sir，andI’mproudofit。Stillhehadbrainsenoughtomakethatcornerinstamps。Nowthatwasfarseeing。
Hishandtookhishatfromthepegoverhisinitialledheavyovercoat，andhislostpropertyofficesecondhandwaterproof。Stamps:stickybackpictures。Daresaylotsofofficersareintheswimtoo。Coursetheydo。Thesweatedlegendinthecrownofhishattoldhimmutely:Plasto’shighgradeha。Hepeepedquicklyinsidetheleatherheadband。Whiteslipofpaper。Quitesafe。
Onthedoorstephefeltinhishippocketforthelatchkey。Notthere。InthetrousersIleftoff。Mustgetit。PotatoIhave。Creakywardrobe。Nousedisturbingher。Sheturnedoversleepilythattime。Hepulledthehalldoortoafterhimveryquietly，more，tillthefootleafdroppedgentlyoverthethreshold，alimplid。Lookedshut。AllrighttillIcomebackanyhow。
Hecrossedtothebrightside，avoidingtheloosecellarflapofnumberseventyfive。ThesunwasnearingthesteepleofGeorge’schurch。BeawarmdayIfancy。Speciallyintheseblackclothesfeelitmore。Blackconducts，reflects(refractsisit？)，theheat。ButIcouldn’tgointhatlightsuit。Makeapicnicofit。Hiseyelidssankquietlyoftenashewalkedinhappywarmth。Boland’sbreadvandeliveringwithtraysourdailybutsheprefersyesterday’sloavesturnoverscrispcrownshot。Makesyoufeelyoung。Somewhereintheeast:earlymorning:setoffatdawn，travelroundinfrontofthesun，stealaday’smarchonhim。Keepitupforevernevergrowadayoldertechnically。Walkalongastrand，strangeland，cometoacitygate，sentrythere，oldrankertoo，oldTweedy’sbigmoustachesleaningonalongkindofaspear。Wanderthroughawnedstreets。Turbanedfacesgoingby。Darkcavesofcarpetshops，bigman，Turkotheterrible，seatedcrossleggedsmokingacoiledpipe。Criesofsellersinthestreets。Drinkwaterscentedwithfennel，sherbet。Wanderalongallday。Mightmeetarobberortwo。Well，meethim。Gettingontosundown。Theshadowsofthemosquesalongthepillars:priestwithascrollrolledup。Ashiverofthetrees，signal，theeveningwind。Ipasson。Fadinggoldsky。Amotherwatchesfromherdoorway。Shecallsherchildrenhomeintheirdarklanguage。Highwall:beyondstringstwanged。Nightskymoon，violet，colourofMolly’snewgarters。Strings。Listen。Agirlplayingoneoftheseinstrumentswhatdoyoucallthem:dulcimers。Ipass。
Probablynotabitlikeitreally。Kindofstuffyouread:inthetrackofthesun。Sunburstonthetitlepage。Hesmiled，pleasinghimself。WhatArthurGriffithsaidabouttheheadpieceovertheFreemanleader:ahomerulesunrisingupinthenorthwestfromthelanewaybehindthebankofIreland。Heprolongedhispleasedsmile。Ikeytouchthat:homerulesunrisingupinthenorthwest。
HeapproachedLarryO’Rourke’s。Fromthecellargratingfloateduptheflabbygushofporter。Throughtheopendoorwaythebarsquirtedoutwhiffsofginger，teadust，biscuitmush。Goodhouse，however:justtheendofthecitytraffic。ForinstanceM’Auley’sdownthere:n。g。asposition。OfcourseiftheyranatramlinealongtheNorthCircularfromthecattlemarkettothequaysvaluewouldgouplikeashot。
Baldheadovertheblind。Cuteoldcodger。Nousecanvassinghimforanad。Stillheknowshisownbusinessbest。ThereheIs，sureenough，myboldLarry，leaningagainstthesugarbininhisshirtsleeveswatchingtheapronedcurateswabupwithmopandbucket。SimonDedalustakeshimofftoateewithhiseyesscrewedup。DoyouknowwhatI’mgoingtotellyou？What’sthat，MrO’Rourke？Doyouknowwhat？TheRussians，they’donlybeaneighto’clockbreakfastfortheJapanese。
Stopandsayaword:aboutthefuneralperhaps。SadthingaboutpoorDignam，MrO’Rourke。
TurningintoDorsetstreethesaidfreshlyingreetingthroughthedoorway:——
Goodday，MrO’Rourke——
Gooddaytoyou——
Lovelyweather，sir——
’Tisallthat。
Wheredotheygetthemoney？ComingupredheadedcuratesfromthecountyLeitrim，rinsingemptiesandoldmaninthecellar。Then，loandbehold，theyblossomoutasAdamFindlatersorDanTallons。Thenthinkofthecompetition。Generalthirst。GoodpuzzlewouldbecrossDublinwithoutpassingapub。Saveittheycan’t。Offthedrunksperhaps。Putdownthreeandcarryfive。Whatisthat？Abobhereandthere，dribsanddrabs。Onthewholesaleordersperhaps。Doingadoubleshufflewiththetowntravellers。Squareitwiththebossandwe’llsplitthejob，see？
Howmuchwouldthattottoofftheporterinthemonth？Saytenbarrelsofstuff。Sayhegottenpercentoff。Omore。Ten。Fifteen。HepassedSaintJoseph’s，Nationalschool。Brats’clamour。Windowsopen。Freshairhelpsmemory。Oralilt。Ahbeeseedefeegeekelomenopeecuerustyouveedoubleyou。Boysarethey？Yes。Inishturk。Inishark。Inishboffin。Attheirjoggerfry。Mine。SlieveBloom。
HehaltedbeforeDlugacz’swindow，staringatthehanksofsausages，polonies，blackandwhite。Fiftymultipliedby。Thefigureswhitenedinhismindunsolved:displeased，heletthemfade。Theshinylinkspackedwithforcemeatfedhisgazeandhebreathedintranquillythelukewarmbreathofcookedspicypig’sblood。
Akidneyoozedbloodgoutsonthewillowpatterneddish:thelast。Hestoodbythenextdoorgirlatthecounter。Wouldshebuyittoo，callingtheitemsfromaslipinherhand。Chapped:washingsoda。AndapoundandahalfofDenny’ssausages。Hiseyesrestedonhervigorouships。Woodshisnameis。Wonderwhathedoes。Wifeisoldfish。Newblood。Nofollowersallowed。Strongpairofarms。Whackingacarpetontheclothesline。Shedoeswhackit，byGeorge。Thewayhercrookedskirtswingsateachwhack。
Theferreteyedporkbutcherfoldedthesausageshehadsnippedoffwithblotchyfingers，sausagepink。Soundmeattherelikeastallfedheifer。
Hetookupapagefromthepileofcutsheets。ThemodelfarmatKinnerethonthelakeshoreofTiberias。Canbecomeidealwintersanatorium。MosesMontefiore。Ithoughthewas。Farmhouse，wallroundit，blurredcattlecropping。Heheldthepagefromhim:interesting:readitnearer，theblurredcroppingcattle，thepagerustling。Ayoungwhiteheifer。Thosemorningsinthecattlemarketthebeastslowingintheirpens，brandedsheep，flopandfallofdung，thebreedersinhobnailedbootstrudgingthroughthelitter，slappingapalmonaripemeatedhindquarter，there’saprimeone，unpeeledswitchesintheirhands。Heheldthepageaslantpatiently，bendinghissensesandhiswill，hissoftsubjectgazeatrest。Thecrookedskirtswingingwhackbywhackbywhack。
Theporkbutchersnappedtwosheetsfromthepile，wrappedupherprimesausagesandmadearedgrimace——
Now，mymiss，hesaid。
Shetenderedacoin，smilingboldly，holdingherthickwristout——
Thankyou，mymiss。Andoneshillingthreepencechange。Foryou，please？
MrBloompointedquickly。Tocatchupandwalkbehindherifshewentslowly，behindhermovinghams。Pleasanttoseefirstthinginthemorning。Hurryup，damnit。Makehaywhilethesunshines。Shestoodoutsidetheshopinsunlightandsaunteredlazilytotheright。Hesigheddownhisnose:theyneverunderstand。Sodachappedhands。Crustedtoenailstoo。Brownscapularsintatters，defendingherbothways。Thestingofdisregardglowedtoweakpleasurewithinhisbreast。ForanotheraconstableoffdutycuddledherinEcclesLane。Theylikethemsizeable。Primesausage。Oplease，MrPoliceman，I’mlostinthewood——
Threepence，please。
Hishandacceptedthemoisttenderglandandsliditintoasidepocket。Thenitfetchedupthreecoinsfromhistrousers’pocketandlaidthemontherubberprickles。Theylay，werereadquicklyandquicklyslid，discbydisc，intothetill——
Thankyou，sir。Anothertime。
Aspeckofeagerfirefromfoxeyesthankedhim。Hewithdrewhisgazeafteraninstant。No:betternot:anothertime——
Goodmorning，hesaid，movingaway——
Goodmorning，sir。
Nosign。Gone。Whatmatter？
HewalkedbackalongDorsetstreet，readinggravely。AgendathNetaim:planter’scompany。TopurchasevastsandytractsfromTurkishgovernmentandplantwitheucalyptustrees。Excellentforshade，fuelandconstruction。OrangegrovesandimmensemelonfieldsnorthofJaffa。Youpayeightmarksandtheyplantadunamoflandforyouwitholives，oranges，almondsorcitrons。Olivescheaper:orangesneedartificialirrigation。Everyyearyougetasendingofthecrop。Yournameenteredforlifeasownerinthebookoftheunion。Canpaytendownandthebalanceinyearlyinstalments。Bleibtreustrasse34，Berlin，W。15。
Nothingdoing。Stillanideabehindit。
Helookedatthecattle，blurredinsilverheat。Silveredpowderedolivetrees。Quietlongdays:pruningripening。Olivesarepackedinjars，eh？IhaveafewleftfromAndrews。Mollyspittingthemout。Knowsthetasteofthemnow。Orangesintissuepaperpackedincrates。Citronstoo。WonderispoorCitronstillaliveinSaintKevin’sparade。AndMastianskywiththeoldcither。Pleasanteveningswehadthen。MollyinCitron’sbasketchair。Nicetohold，coolwaxenfruit，holdinthehand，liftittothenostrilsandsmelltheperfume。Likethat，heavy，sweet，wildperfume。Alwaysthesame，yearafteryear。TheyfetchedhighpricestooMoiseltoldme。Arbutusplace:Pleasantsstreet:pleasantoldtimes。Mustbewithoutaflaw，hesaid。Comingallthatway:Spain，Gibraltar，Mediterranean，theLevant。CrateslineduponthequaysideatJaffa，chaptickingthemoffinabook，navvieshandlingtheminsoileddungarees。There’swhatdoyoucallhimoutof。Howdoyou？Doesn’tsee。Chapyouknowjusttosalutebitofabore。HisbackislikethatNorwegiancaptain’s。WonderifI’llmeethimtoday。Wateringcart。Toprovoketherain。Onearthasitisinheaven。
Acloudbegantocoverthesunwhollyslowlywholly。Grey。Far。
No，notlikethat。Abarrenland，barewaste。Vulcaniclake，thedeadsea:nofish，weedless，sunkdeepintheearth。Nowindwouldliftthosewaves，greymetal，poisonousfoggywaters。Brimstonetheycalleditrainingdown:thecitiesoftheplain:Sodom，Gomorrah，Edom。Alldeadnames。Adeadseainadeadland，greyandold。Oldnow。Itboretheoldest，thefirstrace。AbenthagcrossedfromCassidy’sclutchinganogginbottlebytheneck。Theoldestpeople。Wanderedfarawayoveralltheearth，captivitytocaptivity，multiplying，dying，beingborneverywhere。Itlaytherenow。Nowitcouldbearnomore。Dead:anoldwoman’s:thegreysunkencuntoftheworld。
Desolation。
Greyhorrorsearedhisflesh。FoldingthepageintohispocketheturnedintoEcclesStreet，hurryinghomeward。Coldoilsslidalonghisveins，chillinghisblood:agecrustinghimwithasaltcloak。Well，Iamherenow。Morningmouthbadimages。Gotupwrongsideofthebed。MustbeginagainthoseSandow’sexercises。Onthehandsdown。Blotchybrownbrickhouses。Numbereightystillunlet。Whyisthat？Valuationisonlytwenty-eight。Towers，Battersby，North，MacArthur:parlourwindowsplasteredwithbills。Plastersonasoreeye。Tosmellthegentlesmokeoftea，fumeofthepan，sizzlingbutter。Benearheramplebedwarmedflesh。Yes，yes。
QuickwarmsunlightcamerunningfromBerkeleyRoad，swiftly，inslimsandals，alongthebrighteningfootpath。Runs，sherunstomeetme，agirlwithgoldhaironthewind。
Twolettersandacardlayonthehallfloor。Hestoppedandgatheredthem。MrsMarionBloom。Hisquickheartslowedatonce。Boldhand。MrsMarion——
Poldy！
Enteringthebedroomhehalfclosedhiseyesandwalkedthroughwarmyellowtwilighttowardshertousledhead——
Whoarethelettersfor？
Helookedatthem。Mullingar。Milly——
AletterformefromMilly，hesaidcarefully，andacardtoyou。Andaletterforyou。
Helaidhercardandletteronthetwillbedspreadnearthecurveofherknees——
Doyouwanttheblindup？
Lettingtheblindupbygentletugshalfwayhisbackwardeyesawherglanceattheletterandtuckitunderherpillow——
Thatdo？heasked，turning。
Shewasreadingthecard，proppedonherelbow——
Shegotthethings，shesaid。
Hewaitedtillshehadlaidthecardasideandcurledherselfbackslowlywithasnugsigh——
Hurryupwiththattea，shesaid。I’mparched——
Thekettleisboiling，hesaid。
Buthedelayedtoclearthechair:herstripedpetticoat，tossedsoiledlinen:andliftedallinanarmfulontothefootofthebed。
Ashewentdownthekitchenstairsshecalled:——
Poldy！——
What？——
Scaldtheteapot。
Ontheboilsureenough:aplumeofsteamfromthespout。Hescaldedandrinsedouttheteapotandputinfourfullspoonsoftea，tiltingthekettlethentoletwaterflowin。Havingsetittodraw，hetookoffthekettleandcrushedthepanflatonthelivecoalsandwatchedthelumpofbutterslideandmelt。Whileheunwrappedthekidneythecatmewedhungrilyagainsthim。Givehertoomuchmeatshewon’tmouse。Saytheywon’teatpork。Kosher。Here。Heletthebloodsmearedpaperfalltoheranddroppedthekidneyamidthesizzlingbuttersauce。Pepper。Hesprinkleditthroughhisfingers，ringwise，fromthechippedeggcup。
Thenheslitopenhisletter，glancingdownthepageandover。Thanks:newtam:MrCoghlan:loughOwelpicnic:youngstudent:BlazesBoylan’sseasidegirls。
Theteawasdrawn。Hefilledhisownmoustachecup，shamcrownDerby，smiling。SillyMilly’sbirthdaygift。Onlyfiveshewasthen。Nowait:four。Igavehertheamberoidnecklaceshebroke。Puttingpiecesoffoldedbrownpaperintheletterboxforher。Hesmiled，pouring。
OMillyBloom，youaremydarling。
Youaremylookingglassfromnighttomorning。
I’dratherhaveyouwithoutafarthing
ThanKateyKeoghwithherassandgarden。
PooroldprofessorGoodwin。Dreadfuloldcase。Stillhewasacourteousoldchap。OldfashionedwayheusedtobowMollyofftheplatform。Andthelittlemirrorinhissilkhat。ThenightMillybroughtitintotheparlour。O，lookwhatIfoundinprofessorGoodwin’shat！Allwelaughed。Sexbreakingouteventhen。Pertlittlepieceshewas。
Heproddedaforkintothekidneyandslappeditover:thenfittedtheteapotonthetray。Itshumpbumpedashetookitup。Everythingonit？Breadandbutter，four，sugar，spoon，hercream。Yes。Hecarrieditupstairs，histhumbhookedintheteapothandle。
Nudgingthedooropenwithhiskneehecarriedthetrayinandsetitonthechairbythebedhead——
Whatatimeyouwere，shesaid。
Shesetthebrassesjinglingassheraisedherselfbriskly，anelbowonthepillow。Helookedcalmlydownonherbulkandbetweenherlargesoftbubs，slopingwithinhernightdresslikeashegoat’sudder。Thewarmthofhercouchedbodyroseontheair，minglingwiththefragranceoftheteashepoured。
Astripoftornenvelopepeepedfromunderthedimpledpillow。Intheactofgoinghestayedtostraightenthebedspread——
Whowastheletterfrom？heasked。
Boldhand。Marion——
O，Boylan，shesaid。He’sbringingtheprogramme——
Whatareyousinging？——
LacidaremwithJ。C。Doyle，shesaid，andLove’sOldSweetSong。
Herfulllips，drinking，smiled。Ratherstalesmellthatincenseleavesnextday。Likefoulflowerwater——
Wouldyoulikethewindowopenalittle？
Shedoubledasliceofbreadintohermouth，asking:——
Whattimeisthefuneral？——
Eleven，Ithink，heanswered。Ididn’tseethepaper。
Followingthepointingofherfingerhetookupalegofhersoileddrawersfromthebed。No？Then，atwistedgreygarterloopedroundastocking:rumpled，shinysole——
No:thatbook。
Otherstocking。Herpetticoat——
Itmusthavefelldown，shesaid。
Hefelthereandthere。Voglioenonvorvez。Wonderifshepronouncesthatright:voglio。Notinthebed。Musthavesliddown。Hestoopedandliftedthevalance。Thebook，fallen，sprawledagainstthebulgeoftheorange-keyedchamberpot——
Showhere，shesaid。Iputamarkinit。There’sawordIwantedtoaskyou。
Sheswallowedadraughtofteafromhercupheldbynothandleand，havingwipedherfingertipssmartlyontheblanket，begantosearchthetextwiththehairpintillshereachedtheword——
Methimwhat？heasked——
Here，shesaid。Whatdoesthatmean？
Heleaneddownwardsandreadnearherpolishedthumbnail——
Metempsychosis？——
Yes。Who’shewhenhe’sathome？——
Metempsychosis，hesaid，frowning。It’sGreek:fromtheGreek。Thatmeansthetransmigrationofsouls——
O，rocks！shesaid。Tellusinplainwords。
Hesmiled，glancingaskanceathermockingeye。Thesameyoungeyes。Thefirstnightafterthecharades。Dolphin’sBarn。Heturnedoverthesmudgedpages。Ruby:thePrideoftheRing。Hello。Illustration。FierceItalianwithcarriagewhip。MustbeRubyprideoftheonthefloornaked。Sheetkindlylent。ThemonsterMaffeidesistedandflunghisvictimfromhimwithanoath。Crueltybehinditall。Dopedanimals。TrapezeatHengler’s。Hadtolooktheotherway。Mobgaping。Breakyourneckandwe’llbreakoursides。Familiesofthem。Bonethemyoungsotheymetempsychosis。Thatweliveafterdeath。Oursouls。Thataman’ssoulafterhedies。Dignam’ssoul——
Didyoufinishit？heasked——
Yes，shesaid。There’snothingsmuttyinit。Issheinlovewiththefirstfellowallthetime？——
Neverreadit。Doyouwantanother？——
Yes。GetanotherofPauldeKock’s。Nicenamehehas。
Shepouredmoreteaintohercup，watchingitsflowsideways。
MustgetthatCapelstreetlibrarybookrenewedorthey’llwritetoKearney，myguarantor。Reincarnation:that’stheword——
Somepeoplebelieve，hesaid，thatwegoonlivinginanotherbodyafterdeath，thatwelivedbefore。Theycallitreincarnation。Thatwealllivedbeforeontheearththousandsofyearsagoorsomeotherplanet。Theysaywehaveforgottenit。Somesaytheyremembertheirpastlives。
Thesluggishcreamwoundcurdlingspiralsthroughhertea。Betterremindheroftheword:metempsychosis。Anexamplewouldbebetter。Anexample。
TheBathoftheNymphoverthebed。GivenawaywiththeEasternumberofPhotoBits:Splendidmasterpieceinartcolours。Teabeforeyouputmilkin。Notunlikeherwithherhairdown:slimmer。ThreeandsixIgavefortheframe。Shesaiditwouldlookniceoverthebed。Nakednymphs:Greece:andforinstanceallthepeoplethatlivedthen。
Heturnedthepagesback——
Metempsychosis，hesaid，iswhattheancientGreekscalledit。Theyusedtobelieveyoucouldbechangedintoananimaloratree，forinstance。Whattheycallednymphs，forexample。
Herspoonceasedtostirupthesugar。Shegazedstraightbeforeher，inhalingthroughherarchednostrils——
There’sasmellofburn，shesaid。Didyouleaveanythingonthefire？——
Thekidney！hecriedsuddenly。
Hefittedthebookroughlyintohisinnerpocketand，stubbinghistoesagainstthebrokencommode，hurriedouttowardsthesmell，steppinghastilydownthestairswithaflurriedstork’slegs。PungentsmokeshotupinanangryJetfromasideofthepan。Byproddingaprongoftheforkunderthekidneyhedetacheditandturneditturtleonitsback。Onlyalittleburned。Hetosseditoffthepanontoaplateandletthescantybrowngravytrickleoverit。
Cupofteanow。Hesatdown，cutandbutteredasliceoftheloaf。Heshoreawaytheburntfleshandflungittothecat。Thenheputaforkfulintohismouth，chewingwithdiscernmentthetoothsomepliantmeat。Donetoaturn。Amouthfuloftea。Thenhecutawaydiesofbread，soppedoneinthegravyandputitinhismouth。Whatwasthataboutsomeyoungstudentandapicnic？Hecreasedouttheletterathisside，readingitslowlyashechewed，soppinganotherdieofbreadinthegravyandraisingittohismouth。
DearestPapli，
Thankseversomuchforthelovelybirthdaypresent。Itsuitsmesplendid。EveryonesaysI’mquitethebelleinmynewtam。Igotmummy’slovelyboxofcreamsandamwriting。Theyarelovely。Iamgettingonswimminginthephotobusinessnow。MrCoghlantookoneofmeandMrswillsendwhendeveloped。Wedidgreatbizyesterday。Fairdayandallthebeeftotheheelswerein。WearegoingtoloughOwelonMondaywithafewfriendstomakeascrappicnic。Givemylovetomummyandtoyourselfabigkissandthanks。Ihearthematthepianodownstairs。ThereistobeaconcertintheGrevilleArmsonSaturday。ThereisayoungstudentcomesheresomeeveningsnamedBannonhiscousinsorsomethingarebigswellshesingsBoylan’s(IwasonthepopofwritingBlazesBoylan’s)songaboutthoseseasidegirls。TellhimsillyMillysendsmybestrespects。Mustnowclosewithfondestlove。
Yourfonddaughter，MILLY。
P。S。Excusebadwriting，aminahurry。Byby。
M。
Fifteenyesterday。Curious，fifteenthofthemonthtoo。Herfirstbirthdayawayfromhome。Separation。Rememberthesummermorningshewasborn，runningtoknockupMrsThorntoninDenzillestreet。Jollyoldwoman。Lotsofbabiesshemusthavehelpedintotheworld。SheknewfromthefirstpoorlittleRudywouldn’tlive。Well，Godisgood，sir。Sheknewatonce。Hewouldbeelevennowifhehadlived。
Hisvacantfacestaredpityingatthepostscript。Excusebadwriting。Hurry。Pianodownstairs。Comingoutofhershell。RowwithherintheXLCaféaboutthebracelet。Wouldn’teathercakesorspeakorlook。Saucebox。Hesoppedotherdiesofbreadinthegravyandatepieceafterpieceofkidney。Twelveandsixaweek。Notmuch。Still，shemightdoworse。Musichallstage。Youngstudent。Hedrankadraughtofcoolerteatowashdownhismeal。Thenhereadtheletteragain:twice。
Owell:sheknowshowtomindherself。Butifnot？No，nothinghashappened。Ofcourseitmight。Waitinanycasetillitdoes。Awildpieceofgoods。Herslimlegsrunningupthestaircase。Destiny。Ripeningnow。Vain:very。
Hesmiledwithtroubledaffectionatthekitchenwindow。
DayIcaughtherinthestreetpinchinghercheekstomakethemred。An&Aelig；micalittle。Wasgivenmilktoolong。OntheErin’sKingthatdayroundtheKish。Damnedoldtubpitchingabout。Notabitfunky。Herpalebluescarflooseinthewindwithherhair。
Alldimpledcheek’sandcurls，
Yourheaditsimplyswirls。
Seasidegirls。Tornenvelope。Handsstuckinhistrouserspockets，jarveyofffortheday，singing。Friendofthefamily。Swurls，hesays。Pierwithlamps，summerevening，band，
Thosegirls，thosegirls，
Thoselovelyseasidegirls’
Millytoo。Youngkisses:thefirst。Farawaynowpast。MrsMarion。Readinglyingbacknow，countingthestrandsofherhair，smiling，braiding。
Asoftqualmregret，floweddownhisbackbone，increasing。Willhappen，yes。Prevent。Useless:can’tmove。Girl’ssweetlightlips。Willhappentoo。Hefelttheflowingqualmspreadoverhim。Uselesstomovenow。Lipskissed，kissingkissed。Fullglueywoman’slips。
Betterwheresheisdownthere:away。Occupyher。Wantedadogtopassthetime。Mighttakeatripdownthere。Augustbankholiday，onlytwoandsixreturn。Sixweeksoffhowever。Mightworkapresspass。OrthroughM’Coy。
Thecat，havingcleanedallherfur，returnedtothemeatstainedpaper，nosedatitandstalkedtothedoor。Shelookedbackathim，mewing。Wantstogoout。Waitbeforeadoorsometimeitwillopen。Letherwait。Hasthefidgets。Electric。Thunderintheair。Waswashingatherearwithherbacktothefiretoo。
Hefeltheavy，full:thenagentlelooseningofhisbowels。Hestoodup，undoingthewaistbandofhistrousers。Thecatmewedtohim——
Miaow！hesaidinanswer。WaittillI’mready。
Heaviness:hotdaycoming。Toomuchtroubletofagupthestairstothelanding。
Apaper。Helikedtoreadatstool。HopenoapecomesknockingjustasI’m。
InthetabledrawerhefoundanoldnumberofTitbits。Hefoldeditunderhisarmpit，wenttothedoorandopenedit。Thecatwentupinsoftbounds。Ah，wantedtogoupstairs，curlupinaballonthebed。
Listening，heheardhervoice:——
Come，come，pussy。Come。
Hewentoutthroughthebackdoorintothegarden:stoodtolistentowardsthenextgarden。Nosound。Perhapshangingclothesouttodry。Themaidwasinthegarden。Finemorning。
Hebentdowntoregardaleanfileofspearmintgrowingbythewall。Makeasummerhousehere。Scarletrunners。Virginiacreepers。Wanttomanurethewholeplaceover，scabbysoil。Acoatofliverofsulphur。Allsoillikethatwithoutdung。Householdslops。Loam，whatisthisthatis？Thehensinthenextgarden:theirdroppingsareverygoodtopdressing。Bestofallthougharethecattle，especiallywhentheyarefedonthoseoilcakes。Mulchofdung。Bestthingtocleanladies’kidgloves。Dirtycleans。Ashestoo。Reclaimthewholeplace。Growpeasinthatcornerthere。Lettuce。Alwayshavefreshgreensthen。Stillgardenshavetheirdrawbacks。ThatbeeorbluebottlehereWhitmonday。
Hewalkedon。Whereismyhat，bytheway？Musthaveputitbackonthepeg。Orhanginguponthefloor。Funny，Idon’trememberthat。Hallstandtoofull。Fourumbrellas，herraincloak。Pickinguptheletters。Drago’sshopbellringing。QueerIwasjustthinkingthatmoment。Brownbrilliantinedhairoverhiscollar。Justhadawashandbrushup。WonderhaveItimeforabaththismorning。Tarastreet。ChapinthepayboxtheregotawayJamesStephenstheysay。O’Brien。
DeepvoicethatfellowDlugaczhas。Agendawhatisit？Now，mymiss。Enthusiast。
Hekickedopenthecrazydoorofthejakes。Betterbecarefulnottogetthesetrousersdirtyforthefuneral。Hewentin，bowinghisheadunderthelowlintel。Leavingthedoorajar，amidthestenchofmouldylimewashandstalecobwebsheundidhisbraces。Beforesittingdownhepeeredthroughachinkupatthenextdoorwindow。Thekingwasinhiscountinghouse。Nobody。
Asquatonthecuckstoolhefoldedouthispaperturningitspagesoveronhisbaredknees。Somethingnewandeasy。Nogreathurry。Keepitabit。Ourprizetitbit。Matcham’sMasterstrike。WrittenbyMrPhilipBeaufoy，Playgoers’club，London。Paymentattherateofoneguineaacolumnhasbeenmadetothewriter。Threeandahalf。Threepoundsthree。Threepoundsthirteenandsix。
Quietlyheread，restraininghimself，thefirstcolumnand，yieldingbutresisting，beganthesecond。Midway，hislastresistanceyielding，heallowedhisbowelstoeasethemselvesquietlyasheread，readingstillpatiently，thatslightconstipationofyesterdayquitegone。Hopeit’snottoobigbringonpilesagain。No，justright。So。Ah！Costiveonetabloidofcascarasagrada。Lifemightbeso。Itdidnotmoveortouchhimbutitwassomethingquickandneat。Printanythingnow。Sillyseason。Hereadon，seatedcalmabovehisownrisingsmell。Neatcertainly。Matchamoftenthinksofthemaster-strokebywhichhewonthelaughingwitchwhonow。Beginsandendsmorally。Handinhand。Smart。Heglancedbackthroughwhathehadreadand，whilefeelinghiswaterflowquietly，heenviedkindlyMrBeaufoywhohadwrittenitandreceivedpaymentofthreepoundsthirteenandsix。
Mightmanageasketch。ByMrandMrsL。M。Bloom。Inventastoryforsomeproverbwhich？TimeIusedtotryjottingdownonmycuffwhatshesaiddressing。Dislikedressingtogether。Nickedmyselfshaving。BitinghernetherHip，hookingtheplacketofherskirt。Timingher。9。15。DidRobertspayyouyet？9。20。WhathadGrettaConroyon？9。23。Whatpossessedmetobuythiscomb？9。24。I’mswelledafterthatcabbage。Aspeckofdustonthepatentleatherofherboot。
Rubbingsmartlyinturneachweltagainstherstockingcalf。MorningafterthebazaardancewhenMay’sbandplayedPonchielli’sdanceofthehours。Explainthatmorninghours，noon，theneveningcomingon，thennighthours。Washingherteeth。Thatwasthefirstnight。Herheaddancing。Herfansticksclicking。IsthatBoylanwelloff？Hehasmoney。Why？Inoticedhehadagoodsmelloffhisbreathdancing。Nousehummingthen。Alludetoit。Strangekindofmusicthatlastnight。Themirrorwasinshadow。Sherubbedherhandglassbrisklyonherwoollenvestagainstherfullwaggingbub。Peeringintoit。Linesinhereyes。Itwouldn’tpanoutsomehow。
Eveninghours，girlsingreygauze。Nighthoursthenblackwithdaggersandeyemasks。Poeticalideapink，thengolden，thengrey，thenblack。Stilltruetolifealso。Day，thenthenight。
Hetoreawayhalftheprizestorysharplyandwipedhimselfwithit。Thenhegirdeduphistrousers，bracedandbuttonedhimself。Hepulledbackthejerkyshakydoorofthejakesandcameforthfromthegloomintotheair。
Inthebrightlight，lightenedandcooledinlimb，heeyedcarefullyhisblacktrousers，theends，theknees，thehoughsoftheknees。Whattimeisthefuneral？Betterfindoutinthepaper。
Acreakandadarkwhirrintheairhighup。ThebellsofGeorge’schurch。Theytolledthehour:louddarkiron。
Heigho！Heigho！
Heigho！Heigho！
Heigho！Heigho！
Quarterto。Thereagain:theovertonefollowingthroughtheair，third。
PoorDignam！
LotusEaters
BYLORRIESALONGSIRJOHNROGERSON’SQUAYMRBLOOMWALKEDsoberly，pastWindmilllane，Leask’sthelinseedcrusher’s，thepostaltelegraphoffice。Couldhavegiventhataddresstoo。Andpastthesailors’home。HeturnedfromthemorningnoisesofthequaysideandwalkedthroughLimestreet。ByBrady’scottagesaboyfortheskinslolled，hisbucketofoffallinked，smokingachewedfagbutt。Asmallergirlwithscarsofeczemaonherforeheadeyedhim，listlesslyholdingherbatteredcaskhoop。Tellhimifhesmokeshewon’tgrow。Olethim！Hislifeisn’tsuchabedofroses！Waitingoutsidepubstobringdahome。Comehometoma，da。Slackhour:won’tbemanythere。HecrossedTownsendstreet，passedthefrowningfaceofBethel。El，yes:houseof:Aleph，Beth。AndpastNichols’theundertaker’s。Atelevenitis。Timeenough。DaresayCornyKelleherbaggedthatjobforO’Neill’s。Singingwithhiseyesshut。Corney。Metheronceinthepark。Inthedark。Whatalark。Policetout。Hernameandaddressshethentoldwithmytooraloomtooraloomtay。O，surelyhebaggedit。Buryhimcheapinawhatyoumaycall。Withmytooraloom，tooraloom，tooraloom，tooraloom。
InWestlandrowhehaltedbeforethewindowoftheBelfastandOrientalTeaCompanyandreadthelegendsoflead-paperedpackets:choiceblend，finestquality，familytea。Ratherwarm。Tea。MustgetsomefromTomKernan。Couldn’taskhimatafuneral，though。Whilehiseyesstillreadblandlyhetookoffhishatquietlyinhalinghishairoilandsenthisrighthandwithslowgraceoverhisbrowandhair。Verywarmmorning。Undertheirdroppedlidshiseyesfoundthetinybowoftheleatherheadbandinsidehishighgradeha。Justthere。Hisrighthandcamedownintothebowlofhishat。Hisfingersfoundquicklyacardbehindtheheadbandandtransferredittohiswaistcoatpocket。
Sowarm。Hisrighthandoncemoremoreslowlywentoveragain:choiceblend，madeofthefinestCeylonbrands。Thefareast。Lovelyspotitmustbe:thegardenoftheworld，biglazyleavestofloatabouton，cactuses，flowerymeads，snakylianastheycallthem。Wonderisitlikethat。ThoseCinghaleselobbingaroundinthesun，indolcefarniente。Notdoingahand’sturnallday。Sleepsixmonthsoutoftwelve。Toohottoquarrel。Influenceoftheclimate。Lethargy。Flowersofidleness。Theairfeedsmost。Azotes。HothouseinBotanicgardens。Sensitiveplants。Waterlilies。Petalstootiredto。Sleepingsicknessintheair。Walkonroseleaves。Imaginetryingtoeattripeandcowheel。WherewasthechapIsawinthatpicturesomewhere？Ah，inthedeadsea，floatingonhisback，readingabookwithaparasolopen。Couldn’tsinkifyoutried:sothickwithsalt。Becausetheweightofthewater，no，theweightofthebodyinthewaterisequaltotheweightofthe。Orisitthevolumeisequaloftheweight？It’salawsomethinglikethat。VanceinHighschoolcrackinghisfingerjoints，teaching。Thecollegecurriculum。Crackingcurriculum。Whatisweightreallywhenyousaytheweight？Thirtytwofeetpersecond，persecond。Lawoffallingbodies:persecond，persecond。Theyallfalltotheground。Theearth。It’stheforceofgravityoftheearthistheweight。
Heturnedawayandsaunteredacrosstheroad。Howdidshewalkwithhersausages？Likethatsomething。AshewalkedhetookthefoldedFreemanfromhissidepocket，unfoldedit，rolleditlengthwiseinabatonandtappeditateachsaunteringstepagainsthistrouserleg。Carelessair:justdropintosee。Persecond，persecond。Persecondforeveryseconditmeans。Fromthecurbstonehedartedakeenglancethroughthedoorofthepostoffice。Toolatebox。Posthere。No-one。In。
Hehandedthecardthroughthebrassgrill——
Arethereanylettersforme？heasked。
Whilethepostmistresssearchedapigeonholehegazedattherecruitingposterwithsoldiersofallarmsonparade:andheldthetipofhisbatonagainsthisnostrils，smellingfreshprintedragpaper。Noanswerprobably。Wenttoofarlasttime。
Thepostmistresshandedhimbackthroughthegrillhiscardwithaletter。Hethankedandglancedrapidlyatthetypedenvelope。
HenryFlower，Esq。
c/oP。O。WestlandRow，
City。
Answeredanyhow。Heslippedcardandletterintohissidepocket，reviewingagainthesoldiersonparade。Where’soldTweedy’sregiment？Castoffsoldier。There:bearskincapandhackleplume。No，he’sagrenadier。Pointedcuffs。Thereheis:royalDublinfusiliers。Redcoats。Tooshowy。Thatmustbewhythewomengoafterthem。Uniform。Easiertoenlistanddrill。MaudGonne’sletterabouttakingthemoffO’Connellstreetatnight:disgracetoourIrishcapital。Griffith’spaperisonthesametacknow:anarmyrottenwithvenerealdisease:overseasorhalfseasoverempire。Halfbakedtheylook:hypnotisedlike。Eyesfront。Marktime。Table:able。Bed:ed。TheKing’sown。Neverseehimdressedupasafiremanorabobby。Amason，yes。
Hestrolledoutofthepostofficeandturnedtotheright。Talk:asifthatwouldmendmatters。Hishandwentintohispocketandaforefingerfeltitswayundertheflapoftheenvelope，rippingitopeninjerks。Womenwillpayalotofheed，Idon’tthink。Hisfingersdrewforththeletterandcrumpledtheenvelopeinhispocket。Somethingpinnedon:photoperhaps。Hair？No。
M’Coy。Getridofhimquickly。Takemeoutofmyway。Hatecompanywhenyou——
Hello，Bloom。Whereareyouoffto？——
Hello，M’Coy。Nowhereinparticular——
How’sthebody？——
Fine。Howareyou？——
Justkeepingalive，M’Coysaid。
Hiseyesontheblacktieandclothesheaskedwithlowrespect:——
Isthereany……notroubleIhope？Iseeyou’re——
Ono，MrBloomsaid。PoorDignam，youknow。Thefuneralistoday——
Tobesure，poorfellow。Soitis。Whattime？
Aphotoitisn’t。Abadgemaybe——
E……eleven，MrBloomanswered——
Imusttrytogetoutthere，M’Coysaid。Eleven，isit？Ionlyhearditlastnight。Whowastellingme？Holohan。YouknowHoppy？——
Iknow。
MrBloomgazedacrosstheroadattheoutsiderdrawnupbeforethedooroftheGrosvenor。Theporterhoistedthevaliseuponthewell。Shestoodstill，waiting，whiletheman，husband，brother，likeher，searchedhispocketsforchange。Stylishkindofcoatwiththatrollcollar，warmforadaylikethis，lookslikeblanketcloth。Carelessstandofherwithherhandsinthosepatchpockets。Likethathaughtycreatureatthepolomatch。Womenallforcastetillyoutouchthespot。Handsomeisandhandsomedoes。Reservedabouttoyield。ThehonourableMrsandBrutusisanhonourableman。Possessheroncetakethestarchoutofher——
IwaswithBobDoran，he’sononeofhisperiodicalbends，andwhatdoyoucallhimBantamLyons。JustdownthereinConway’swewere。
Doran，LyonsinConway’s。Sheraisedaglovedhandtoherhair。IncameHoppy。Havingawet。Drawingbackhisheadandgazingfarfrombeneathhisveiledeyelidshesawthebrightfawnskinshineintheglare，thebraideddrums。ClearlyIcanseetoday。Moistureaboutgiveslongsightperhaps。Talkingofonethingoranother。Lady’shand。Whichsidewillshegetup？——
Andhesaid:SadthingaboutourpoorfriendPaddy！WhatPaddy？Isaid。PoorlittlePaddyDignam，hesaid。
Offtothecountry:Broadstoneprobably。Highbrownbootswithlacesdangling。Wellturnedfoot。Whatishefosteringoverthatchangefor？Seesmelooking。Eyeoutforotherfellowalways。Goodfallback。Twostringstoherbow——
Why？Isaid。What’swrongwithhim？Isaid。
Proud:rich:silkstockings——
Yes，MrBloomsaid。
HemovedalittletothesideofM’Coy’stalkinghead。Gettingupinaminute——
What’swrongwithhim？hesaid。He’sdead，hesaid。And，faith，hefilledup。IsitPaddyDignam？Isaid。Icouldn’tbelieveitwhenIheardit。IwaswithhimnolaterthanFridaylastorThursdaywasitintheArch。Yes，hesaid。He’sgone。HediedonMonday，poorfellow。
Watch！Watch！Silkflashrichstockingswhite。Watch！
Aheavytramcarhonkingitsgongslewedbetween。
Lostit。Curseyournoisypugnose。Feelslockedoutofit。Paradiseandtheperi。Alwayshappeninglikethat。Theverymoment。GirlinEustacestreethallway。Mondaywasitsettlinghergarter。Herfriendcoveringthedisplayof。Espritdecorps。Well，whatareyougapingat？——
Yes，yes，MrBloomsaidafteradullsigh。Anothergone——
Oneofthebest，M’Coysaid。
Thetrampassed。TheydroveofftowardstheLoopLinebridge，herrichglovedhandonthesteelgrip。Flicker，flicker:thelaceflareofherhatinthesun:flicker，flick——
Wifewell，Isuppose？M’Coy’schangedvoicesaid——
Oyes，MrBloomsaid。Tiptop，thanks。
Heunrolledthenewspaperbatonidlyandreadidly:
Whatishomewithout
Plumtree’sPottedMeat？
Incomplete。
Withitanabodeofbliss——
Mymissushasjustgotanengagement。Atleastit’snotsettledyet。
Valisetackagain。Bythewaynoharm。I’moffthat，thanks。
MrBloomturnedhislargeliddedeyeswithunhastyfriendliness——
Mywifetoo，hesaid。She’sgoingtosingataswaggeraffairintheUlsterhall，Belfast，onthetwentyfifth——
Thatso？M’Coysaid。Gladtohearthat，oldman。Who’sgettingitup？
MrsMarionBloom。Notupyet。Queenwasinherbedroomeatingbreadand。Nobook。Blackenedcourtcardslaidalongherthighbysevens。Darkladyandfairman。Catfurryblackball。Tornstripofenvelope。
Love’s
Old
Sweet
Song
Comeslo-ve’sold——
It’sakindofatour，don’tyousee？MrBloomsaidthoughtfully。Sweetsong。There’sacommitteeformed。Partsharesandpartprofits。
M’Coynodded，pickingathismoustachestubble——
Owell，hesaid。That’sgoodnews。
Hemovedtogo——
Well，gladtoseeyoulookingfit，hesaid。Meetyouknockingaround——
Yes，MrBloomsaid——
Tellyouwhat，M’Coysaid。Youmightputdownmynameatthefuneral，willyou？I’dliketogobutImightn’tbeable，yousee。There’sadrowningcaseatSandycovemayturnupandthenthecoronerandmyselfwouldhavetogodownifthebodyisfound。YoujustshoveinmynameifI’mnotthere，willyou？——
I’lldothat，MrBloomsaid，movingtogetoff。That’llbeallright——
Right，M’Coysaidbrightly。Thanks，oldman。I’dgoifIpossiblycould。Well，tolloll。JustC。P。M’Coywilldo——
Thatwillbedone，MrBloomansweredfirmly。
Didn’tcatchmenappingthatwheeze。Thequicktouch。Softmark。I’dlikemyjob。ValiseIhaveaparticularfancyfor。Leather。Cappedcorners，rivetededges，doubleactionleverlock。BobCowleylenthimhisfortheWicklowregattaconcertlastyearandneverheardtidingsofitfromthatgooddaytothis。
MrBloom，strollingtowardsBrunswickstreet，smiled。Mymissushasjustgotan。Reedyfreckledsoprano。Cheeseparingnose。Niceenoughinitsway:foralittleballad。Nogutsinit。Youandme，don’tyouknow？Inthesameboat。Softsoaping。Giveyoutheneedlethatwould。Can’thehearthedifference？Thinkhe’sthatwayinclinedabit。Againstmygrainsomehow。ThoughtthatBelfastwouldfetchhim。Ihopethatsmallpoxuptheredoesn’tgetworse。Supposeshewouldn’tletherselfbevaccinatedagain。Yourwifeandmywife。
Wonderishepimpingafterme？
MrBloomstoodatthecorner，hiseyeswanderingoverthemulticolouredhoardings。CantrellandCochrane’sGingerAle(Aromatic)。Clery’ssummersale。No，he’sgoingonstraight。Hello。Leahtonight:MrsBandmanPalmer。Liketoseeherinthatagain。Hamletsheplayedlastnight。Maleimpersonator。Perhapshewasawoman。WhyOpheliacommittedsuicide？Poorpapa！HowheusedtotalkaboutKateBatemaninthat！OutsidetheAdelphiinLondonwaitedalltheafternoontogetin。YearbeforeIwasbornthatwas:sixtyfive。AndRistoriinVienna。Whatisthistherightnameis？ByMosenthalitis。Rachel，isit？No。ThescenehewasalwaystalkingaboutwheretheoldblindAbrahamrecognisesthevoiceandputshisfingersonhisface——
Nathan’svoice！Hisson’svoice！IhearthevoiceofNathanwholefthisfathertodieofgriefandmiseryinmyarms，wholeftthehouseofhisfatherandlefttheGodofhisfather。
Everywordissodeep，Leopold。
Poorpapa！Poorman！I’mgladIdidn’tgointotheroomtolookathisface。Thatday！Odear！Odear！Ffoo！Well，perhapsitwasthebestforhim。
MrBloomwentroundthecornerandpassedthedroopingnagsofthehazard。Nousethinkingofitanymore。Nosebagtime。WishIhadn’tmetthatM’Coyfellow。
Hecamenearerandheardacrunchingofgildedoats，thegentlychampingteeth。Theirfullbuckeyesregardedhimashewentby，amidthesweetoatenreekofhorsepiss。TheirEldorado。Poorjugginses！Damnalltheyknoworcareaboutanythingwiththeirlongnosesstuckinnosebags。Toofullforwords。Stilltheygettheirfeedallrightandtheirdoss。Geldedtoo:astumpofblackguttaperchawagginglimpbetweentheirhaunches。Mightbehappyallthesamethatway。Goodpoorbrutestheylook。Stilltheirneighcanbeveryirritating。
Hedrewtheletterfromhispocketandfoldeditintothenewspaperhecarried。Mightjustwalkintoherhere。Thelaneissafer。
Hepassedthecabman’sshelter。Curiousthelifeofdriftingcabbies，allweathers，allplaces，timeorsetdown，nowilloftheirown。Voglioenon。Liketogivethemanoddcigarette。Sociable。Shoutafewflyingsyllablesastheypass。Hehummed:
Lacidaremlamano
Lalalalalala。
HeturnedintoCumberlandstreetand，goingonsomepaces，haltedintheleeofthestationwall。No-one。Meade’stimberyard。Piledbalks。Ruinsandtenements。Withcarefultreadhepassedoverahopscotchcourtwithitsforgottenpickeystone。Notasinner。Nearthetimberyardasquattedchildatmarbles，alone，shootingthetawwithacunnythumb。Awisetabby，ablinkingsphinx，watchedfromherwarmsill。Pitytodisturbthem。Mohammedcutapieceoutofhismantelnottowakeher。Openit。AndonceIplayedmarbleswhenIwenttothatolddame’sschool。Shelikedmignonette。MrsEllis’s。AndMr？Heopenedtheletterwithinthenewspaper。
Aflower。Ithinkit’sa。Ayellowflowerwithflattenedpetals。Notannoyedthen？Whatdoesshesay？
DearHenry，
Igotyourlastlettertomeandthankyouverymuchforit。Iamsorryyoudidnotlikemylastletter。Whydidyouenclosethestamps？Iamawfullyangrywithyou。IdowishIcouldpunishyouforthat。IcalledyounaughtyboybecauseIdonotlikethatotherworld。Pleasetellmewhatistherealmeaningofthatword。Areyounothappyinyourhomeyoupoorlittlenaughtyboy？IdowishIcoulddosomethingforyou。Pleasetellmewhatyouthinkofpoorme。Ioftenthinkofthebeautifulnameyouhave。DearHenry，whenwillwemeet？Ithinkofyousooftenyouhavenoidea。Ihaveneverfeltmyselfsomuchdrawntoamanasyou。Ifeelsobadabout。Pleasewritemealongletterandtellmemore。RememberifyoudonotIwillpunishyou。SonowyouknowwhatIwilldotoyou，younaughtyboy，ifyoudonotwrite。OhowIlongtomeetyou。Henrydear，donotdenymyrequestbeforemypatienceareexhausted。ThenIwilltellyouall。Goodbyenow，naughtydarling。Ihavesuchabadheadachetodayandwritebyreturntoyourlonging
MARTHA。
P。S。Dotellmewhatkindofperfumedoesyourwifeuse。Iwanttoknow。
Hetoretheflowergravelyfromitspinholdsmeltitsalmostnosmellandplaceditinhisheartpocket。Languageofflowers。Theylikeitbecauseno-onecanhear。Orapoisonbouquettostrikehimdown。Then，walkingslowlyforward，hereadtheletteragain，murmuringhereandthereaword。Angrytulipswithyoudarlingmanflowerpunishyourcactusifyoudon’tpleasepoorforgetmenothowIlongvioletstodearroseswhenwesoonanemonemeetallnaughtynightstalkwifeMartha’sperfume。Havingreaditallhetookitfromthenewspaperandputitbackinhissidepocket。
Weakjoyopenedhislips。Changedsincethefirstletter。Wonderdidshewriteitherself。Doingtheindignant:agirlofgoodfamilylikeme，respectablecharacter。CouldmeetoneSundayaftertherosary。Thankyou:nothavingany。Usuallovescrimmage。Thenrunningroundcorners。BadasarowwithMolly。Cigarhasacoolingeffect。Narcotic。Gofurthernexttime。Naughtyboy:punish:afraidof-words，ofcourse。Brutal，whynot？Tryitanyhow。Abitatatime。
Fingeringstilltheletterinhispockethedrewthepinoutofit。Commonpin，eh？Hethrewitontheroad。Outofherclothessomewhere:pinnedtogether。Queerthenumberofpinstheyalwayshave。Noroseswithoutthorns。
FlatDublinvoicesbawledinhishead。ThosetwoslutsthatnightintheCoombe，linkedtogetherintherain。
O，Marylostthepinofherdrawers。
Shedidn’tknowwhattodo
Tokeepitup
Tokeepitup。
It？Them。Suchabadheadache。Hasherrosesprobably。Orsittingalldaytyping。Eyefocusbadforstomachnerves。Whatperfumedoesyourwifeuse？Nowcouldyoumakeoutathinglikethat？
Tokeepitup。
Martha，Mary。IsawthatpicturesomewhereIforgetnowoldmasterorfakedformoney。Heissittingintheirhouse，talking。Mysterious。AlsothetwoslutsintheCoombewouldlisten。
Tokeepitup。
Nicekindofeveningfeeling。Nomorewanderingabout。Justlollthere:quietdusk:leteverythingrip。Forget。Tellaboutplacesyouhavebeen，strangecustoms。Theotherone，jaronherhead，wasgettingthesupper:fruit，olives，lovelycoolwateroutofthewellstonecoldliketheholeinthewallatAshtown。MustcarryapapergobletnexttimeIgotothetrottingmatches。Shelistenswithbigdarksofteyes。Tellher:moreandmore:all。Thenasigh:silence。Longlonglongrest。
Goingundertherailwayarchhetookouttheenvelope，toreitswiftlyinshredsandscatteredthemtowardstheroad。Theshredsflutteredaway，sankinthedankair:awhiteflutterthenallsank。
HenryFlower。Youcouldtearupachequeforahundredpoundsinthesameway。Simplebitofpaper。LordIveaghoncecashedasevenfigurechequeforamillioninthebankofIreland。Showsyouthemoneytobemadeoutofporter。StilltheotherbrotherlordArdilaunhastochangehisshirtfourtimesaday，theysay。Skinbreedsliceorvermin。Amillionpounds，waitamoment。Twopenceapint，fourpenceaquart，eightpenceagallonofporter，no，oneandfourpenceagallonofporter。Oneandfourintotwenty:fifteenabout。Yes，exactly。Fifteenmillionsofbarrelsofporter。
WhatamIsayingbarrels？Gallons。Aboutamillionbarrelsallthesame。
Anincomingtrainclankedheavilyabovehishead，coachaftercoach。Barrelsbumpedinhishead:dullportersloppedandchurnedinside。Thebungholessprangopenandahugedullfloodleakedout，flowingtogether，windingthroughmudflatsalloverthelevelland，alazypoolingswirlofliquorbearingalongwideleavedflowersofitsfroth。
HehadreachedtheopenbackdoorofAllHallows。Steppingintotheporchhedoffedhishat，tookthecardfromhispocketandtuckeditagainbehindtheleatherheadband。Damnit。ImighthavetriedtoworkM’CoyforapasstoMullingar。
Samenoticeonthedoor。SermonbytheveryreverendJohnConmeeS。J。onsaintPeterClaverandtheAfricanmission。SaveChina’smillions。WonderhowtheyexplainittotheheathenChinee。Preferanounceofopium。Celestials。Rankheresyforthem。PrayersfortheconversionofGladstonetheyhadtoowhenhewasalmostunconscious。Theprotestantsthesame。ConvertDr。WilliamJ。WalshD。D。tothetruereligion。Buddhatheirgodlyingonhissideinthemuseum。Takingiteasywithhandunderhischeek。Josssticksburning。NotlikeEcceHomo。Crownofthornsandcross。CleverideaSaintPatricktheshamrock。Chopsticks？Conmee:MartinCunninghamknowshim:distinguishedlooking。SorryIdidn’tworkhimaboutgettingMollyintothechoirinsteadofthatFatherFarleywholookedafoolbutwasn’t。They’retaughtthat。He’snotgoingoutinblueyspecswiththesweatrollingoffhimtobaptiseblacks，ishe？Theglasseswouldtaketheirfancy，flashing。Liketoseethemsittingroundinaringwithblublips，entranced，listening。Stilllife。Lapituplikemilk，Isuppose。
Thecoldsmellofsacredstonecalledhim。Hetrodthewornsteps，pushedtheswingdoorandenteredsoftlybytherere。
Somethinggoingon:somesodality。Pitysoempty。Nicediscreetplacetobenextsomegirl。Whoismyneighbour？Jammedbythehourtoslowmusic。Thatwomanatmidnightmass。Seventhheaven。Womenkneltinthebencheswithcrimsonhaltersroundtheirnecks，headsbowed。Abatchkneltatthealtarrails。Thepriestwentalongbythem，murmuring，holdingthethinginhishands。Hestoppedateach，tookoutacommunion，shookadroportwo(aretheyinwater？)offitandputitneatlyintohermouth。Herhatandheadsank。Thenthenextone:asmalloldwoman。Thepriestbentdowntoputitintohermouth，murmuringallthetime。Latin。Thenextone。Shutyoureyesandopenyourmouth。What？Corpus。Body。Corpse。GoodideatheLatin。Stupefiesthemfirst。Hospiceforthedying。Theydon’tseemtochewit；onlyswallowitdown。Rumidea:eatingbitsofacorpsewhythecannibalscottontoit。
Hestoodasidewatchingtheirblindmaskspassdowntheaisle，onebyone，andseektheirplaces。Heapproachedabenchandseatedhimselfinitscorner，nursinghishatandnewspaper。Thesepotswehavetowear。Weoughttohavehatsmodelledonourheads。Theywereabouthimhereandthere，withheadsstillbowedintheircrimsonhalters，waitingforittomeltintheirstomachs。Somethinglikethosemazzoth:it’sthatsortofbread:unleavenedshewbread。Lookatthem。NowIbetitmakesthemfeelhappy。Lollipop。Itdoes。Yes，breadofangelsit’scalled。There’sabigideabehindit，kindofkingdomofGodiswithinyoufeel。Firstcommunicants。Hokypokypennyalump。Thenfeelalllikeonefamilyparty，sameinthetheatre，allinthesameswim。Theydo。I’msureofthat。Notsolonely。Inourconfraternity。Thencomeoutabigspreeish。Letoffsteam。Thingisifyoureallybelieveinit。Lourdescure，watersofoblivion，andtheKnockapparition，statuesbleeding。Oldfellowasleepnearthatconfessionbox。Hencethosesnores。Blindfaith。SafeinthearmsofKingdomcome。Lullsallpain。Wakethistimenextyear。
Hesawtheprieststowthecommunioncupaway，wellin，andkneelaninstantbeforeit，showingalargegreybootsolefromunderthelaceaffairhehadon。Supposehelostthepinofhis。Hewouldn’tknowwhattodoto。Baldspotbehind。LettersonhisbackI。N。R。I。？No:I。H。S。MollytoldmeonetimeIaskedher。Ihavesinned:orno:Ihavesuffered，itis。Andtheotherone？Ironnailsranin。
MeetoneSundayaftertherosary。Donotdenymyrequest。Turnupwithaveilandblackbag。Duskandthelightbehindher。Shemightbeherewitharibbonroundherneckanddotheotherthingallthesameonthesly。Theircharacter。Thatfellowthatturnedqueen’sevidenceontheinvinciblesheusedtoreceivethe，Careywashisname，thecommunioneverymorning。Thisverychurch。PeterCarey。No，PeterClaverIamthinkingof。DenisCarey。Andjustimaginethat。Wifeandsixchildrenathome。Andplottingthatmurderallthetime。Thosecrawthumpers，nowthat’sagoodnameforthem，there’salwayssomethingshiftylookingaboutthem。They’renotstraightmenofbusinesseither。Onoshe’snothere:theflower:no，no。BythewaydidItearupthatenvelope？Yes:underthebridge。
Thepriestwasrinsingoutthechalice:thenhetossedoffthedregssmartly。Wine。MakesitmorearistocraticthanforexampleifhedrankwhattheyareusedtoGuinness’sporterorsometemperancebeverageWheatley’sDublinhopbittersorCantrellandCochrane’sgingerale(aromatic)。Doesn’tgivethemanyofit:shewwine:onlytheother。Coldcomfort。Piousfraudbutquiteright:otherwisethey’dhaveoneoldbooserworsethananothercomingalong，cadgingforadrink。Queerthewholeatmosphereofthe。Quiteright。Perfectlyrightthatis。
返回顶部