Улисс

           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.