II
Chapter 1
MrLeopoldBloomatewithrelishtheinnerorgansofbeastsandfowls.Helikedthickgibletsoup,nuttygizzards,astuffedroastheart,liverslicesfriedwithcrustcrumbs,friedhencods’roes.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.Justhowshestalksovermywritingtable.Prr.Scratchmyhead.Prr.
MrBloomwatchedcuriously,kindlythelitheblackform.Cleantosee:theglossofhersleekhide,thewhitebuttonunderthebuttofhertail,thegreenflashingeyes.Hebentdowntoher,hishandsonhisknees.
—Milkforthepussens,hesaid.
—Mrkgnao!thecatcried.
Theycallthemstupid.Theyunderstandwhatwesaybetterthanweunderstandthem.Sheunderstandsallshewantsto.Vindictivetoo.Cruel.Hernature.Curiousmiceneversqueal.Seemtolikeit.WonderwhatIlookliketoher.