Улисс

           Switchoffthecurrent,willyou?

           Heskippedoffthegunrestandlookedgravelyathiswatcher,gatheringabouthislegstheloosefoldsofhisgown.Theplumpshadowedfaceandsullenovaljowlrecalledaprelate,patronofartsinthemiddleages.Apleasantsmilebrokequietlyoverhislips.

           —Themockeryofit!hesaidgaily.Yourabsurdname,anancientGreek!

           Hepointedhisfingerinfriendlyjestandwentovertotheparapet,laughingtohimself.StephenDedalussteppedup,followedhimwearilyhalfwayandsatdownontheedgeofthegunrest,watchinghimstillasheproppedhismirrorontheparapet,dippedthebrushinthebowlandlatheredcheeksandneck.

           BuckMulligan’sgayvoicewenton.

           —Mynameisabsurdtoo:MalachiMulligan,twodactyls.ButithasaHellenicring,hasn’tit?Trippingandsunnylikethebuckhimself.WemustgotoAthens.WillyoucomeifIcangettheaunttoforkouttwentyquid?

           Helaidthebrushasideand,laughingwithdelight,cried:

           —Willhecome?Thejejunejesuit!

           Ceasing,hebegantoshavewithcare.

           —Tellme,Mulligan,Stephensaidquietly.

           —Yes,mylove?

           —HowlongisHainesgoingtostayinthistower?

           BuckMulliganshowedashavencheekoverhisrightshoulder.

           —God,isn’thedreadful?hesaidfrankly.AponderousSaxon.Hethinksyou’renotagentleman.God,thesebloodyEnglish!Burstingwithmoneyandindigestion.BecausehecomesfromOxford.Youknow,Dedalus,youhavetherealOxfordmanner.Hecan’tmakeyouout.O,mynameforyouisthebest:Kinch,theknife-blade.

           Heshavedwarilyoverhischin.