Улисс

           Andwhenhehadheardhisvoicesayitheadded:

           —Youdon’twantanythingforbreakfast?

           Asleepysoftgruntanswered:

           —Mn.

           No.Shedidn’twantanything.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.

           Hishandtookhishatfromthepegoverhisinitialledheavyovercoatandhislostpropertyofficesecondhandwaterproof.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.