II

           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.