Улисс

           Heightofatower?No,shecanjumpme.

           —Afraidofthechickenssheis,hesaidmockingly.Afraidofthechookchooks.Ineversawsuchastupidpussensasthepussens.

           —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:

           —I’mgoingroundthecorner.Bebackinaminute.