Улисс
Chapter 2
Theyallfalltotheground.Theearth.It’stheforceofgravityoftheearthistheweight.
Heturnedawayandsaunteredacrosstheroad.Howdidshewalkwithhersausages?Likethatsomething.AshewalkedhetookthefoldedFreemanfromhissidepocket,unfoldedit,rolleditlengthwiseinabatonandtappeditateachsaunteringstepagainsthistrouserleg.Carelessair:justdropintosee.Persecondpersecond.Persecondforeveryseconditmeans.Fromthecurbstonehedartedakeenglancethroughthedoorofthepostoffice.Toolatebox.Posthere.No-one.In.
Hehandedthecardthroughthebrassgrill.
—Arethereanylettersforme?heasked.
Whilethepostmistresssearchedapigeonholehegazedattherecruitingposterwithsoldiersofallarmsonparade:andheldthetipofhisbatonagainsthisnostrils,smellingfreshprintedragpaper.Noanswerprobably.Wenttoofarlasttime.
Thepostmistresshandedhimbackthroughthegrillhiscardwithaletter.Hethankedherandglancedrapidlyatthetypedenvelope.
HenryFlowerEsq,
c/oP.O.WestlandRow,
City.
Answeredanyhow.Heslippedcardandletterintohissidepocket,reviewingagainthesoldiersonparade.Where’soldTweedy’sregiment?Castoffsoldier.There:bearskincapandhackleplume.No,he’sagrenadier.Pointedcuffs.Thereheis:royalDublinfusiliers.Redcoats.Tooshowy.Thatmustbewhythewomengoafterthem.Uniform.Easiertoenlistanddrill.MaudGonne’sletterabouttakingthemoffO’Connellstreetatnight:disgracetoourIrishcapital.