Chapter 2

           BylorriesalongsirJohnRogerson’squayMrBloomwalkedsoberly,pastWindmilllane,Leask’sthelinseedcrusher,thepostaltelegraphoffice.Couldhavegiventhataddresstoo.Andpastthesailors’home.HeturnedfromthemorningnoisesofthequaysideandwalkedthroughLimestreet.ByBrady’scottagesaboyfortheskinslolled,hisbucketofoffallinked,smokingachewedfagbutt.Asmallergirlwithscarsofeczemaonherforeheadeyedhim,listlesslyholdingherbatteredcaskhoop.Tellhimifhesmokeshewon’tgrow.Olethim!Hislifeisn’tsuchabedofroses.Waitingoutsidepubstobringdahome.Comehometoma,da.Slackhour:won’tbemanythere.HecrossedTownsendstreet,passedthefrowningfaceofBethel.El,yes:houseof:Aleph,Beth.AndpastNichols’theundertaker.Atelevenitis.Timeenough.DaresayCornyKelleherbaggedthejobforO’Neill’s.Singingwithhiseyesshut.Corny.Metheronceinthepark.Inthedark.Whatalark.Policetout.Hernameandaddressshethentoldwithmytooraloomtooraloomtay.O,surelyhebaggedit.Buryhimcheapinawhatyoumaycall.Withmytooraloom,tooraloom,tooraloom,tooraloom.

           InWestlandrowhehaltedbeforethewindowoftheBelfastandOrientalTeaCompanyandreadthelegendsofleadpaperedpackets:choiceblend,finestquality,familytea.Ratherwarm.Tea.MustgetsomefromTomKernan.Couldn’taskhimatafuneral,though.Whilehiseyesstillreadblandlyhetookoffhishatquietlyinhalinghishairoilandsenthisrighthandwithslowgraceoverhisbrowandhair.Verywarmmorning.