第13章

GertyMacDowellbentdownherheadandcrimsonedattheideaofCissysayinganunladylikethinglikethatoutloudshe’dbeashamedofherlifetosay，flushingadeeprosyred，andEdyBoardmansaidshewassurethegentlemanoppositeheardwhatshesaid。ButnotapincaredCiss——

Lethim！shesaidwithaperttossofherheadandapiquanttiltofhernose。GiveittohimtooonthesameplaceasquickasI’dlookathim。

MadcapCisswithhergolliwogcurls。Youhadtolaughathersometimes。ForinstancewhensheaskedyouwouldyouhavesomemoreChineseteaandjaspberryramandwhenshedrewthejugstooandthemen’sfacesonhernailswithredinkmakeyousplityoursidesorwhenshewantedtogowhereyouknowshesaidshewantedtorunandpayavisittotheMissWhite。ThatwasjustlikeCissycums。O，andwillyoueverforgettheeveningshedressedupinherfather’ssuitandhatandtheburnedcorkmoustacheandwalkeddownTritonvilleroad，smokingacigarette？Therewasnonetocomeuptoherforfun。Butshewassincerityitself，oneofthebravestandtruestheartsheavenevermade，notoneofyourtwofacedthings，toosweettobewholesome。

Andthentherecameoutupontheairthesoundofvoicesandthepealinganthemoftheorgan。Itwasthemen’stemperanceretreatconductedbythemissioner，thereverendJohnHughesS。J。，rosary，sermonandbenedictionoftheMostBlessedSacrament。Theyweretheregatheredtogetherwithoutdistinctionofsocialclass(andamostedifyingspectacleitwastosee)inthatsimplefanebesidethewaves，afterthestormsofthiswearyworld，kneelingbeforethefeetoftheimmaculate，recitingthelitanyofOurLadyofLoreto，beseechinghertointercedeforthem，theoldfamiliarwords，holyMary，holyvirginofvirgins。HowsadtopoorGerty’sears！Hadherfatheronlyavoidedtheclutchesofthedemondrink，bytakingthepledgeorthosepowdersthedrinkhabitcuredinPearson’sWeekly，shemightnowberollinginhercarriage，secondtonone。Overandoverhadshetoldherselfthatasshemusedbythedyingembersinabrownstudywithoutthelampbecauseshehatedtwolightsoroftentimesgazingoutofthewindowdreamilybythehourattherainfallingontherustybucket，thinking。Butthatviledecoctionwhichhasruinedsomanyhearthsandhomeshadcastitsshadowoverherchildhooddays。Nay，shehadevenwitnessedinthehomecircledeedsofviolencecausedbyintemperanceandhadseenherownfather，apreytothefumesofintoxication，forgethimselfcompletelyforiftherewasonethingofallthingsthatGertyknewitwasthemanwholiftshishandtoawomansaveinthewayofkindnessdeservestobebrandedasthelowestofthelow。

AndstillthevoicessanginsupplicationtotheVirginmostpowerful，Virginmostmerciful。AndGerty，wraptinthought，scarcesaworheardhercompanionsorthetwinsattheirboyishgambolsorthegentlemanoffSandymountgreenthatCissyCaffreycalledthemanthatwassolikehimselfpassingalongthestrandtakingashortwalk。Youneversawhimanywayscrewedbutstillandforallthatshewouldnotlikehimforafatherbecausehewastoooldorsomethingoronaccountofhisface(itwasapalpablecaseofdoctorFell)orhiscarbunclynosewiththepimplesonitandhissandymoustacheabitwhiteunderhisnose。Poorfather！WithallhisfaultsshelovedhimstillwhenhesangTellme，Mary，howtowootheeorMyloveandcottagenearRochelleandtheyhadstewedcocklesandlettucewithLazenby’ssaladdressingforsupperandwhenhesangThemoonhathraisedwithMrDignamthatdiedsuddenlyandwasburied，Godhavemercyonhim，fromastroke。Hermother’sbirthdaythatwasandCharleywashomeonhisholidaysandTomandMrDignamandMrsandPatsyandFreddyDignamandtheyweretohavehadagrouptaken。No-onewouldhavethoughttheendwassonear。Nowhewaslaidtorest。Andhermothersaidtohimtoletthatbeawarningtohimfortherestofhisdaysandhecouldn’tevengotothefuneralonaccountofthegoutandshehadtogointotowntobringhimthelettersandsamplesfromhisofficeaboutCatesby’scorklino，artisticstandarddesigns，fitforapalace，givestiptopwearandalwaysbrightandcheeryinthehome。

AsterlinggooddaughterwasGertyjustlikeasecondmotherinthehouse，aministeringangeltoowithalittleheartworthitsweightingold。AndwhenhermotherhadthoseragingsplittingheadacheswhowasitrubbedonthementholconeonherforeheadbutGertythoughshedidn’tlikehermothertakingpinchesofsnuffandthatwastheonlysinglethingtheyeverhadwordsabout，takingsnuff。Everyonethoughttheworldofherforhergentleways。ItwasGertywhoturnedoffthegasatthemaineverynightanditwasGertywhotackeduponthewallofthatplacewheresheneverforgoteveryfortnightthechlorateoflimeMrTunneythegrocer’schristmasalmanacthepictureofhalcyondayswhereayounggentlemaninthecostumetheyusedtowearthenwithathreecorneredhatwasofferingabunchofflowerstohisladylovewitholdtimechivalrythroughherlatticewindow。Youcouldseetherewasastorybehindit。Thecoloursweredonesomethinglovely。Shewasinasoftclingingwhiteinastudiedattitudeandthegentlemanwasinchocolateandhelookedathorougharistocrat。SheoftenlookedatthemdreamilywhenthereforacertainpurposeandfeltherownarmsthatwerewhiteandsoftjustlikeherswiththesleevesbackandthoughtaboutthosetimesbecauseshehadfoundoutinWalker’spronouncingdictionarythatbelongedtograndpapaGiltrapaboutthehalcyondayswhattheymeant。

Thetwinswerenowplayinginthemostapprovedbrotherlyfashion，tillatlastMasterJackywhowasreallyasboldasbrasstherewasnogettingbehindthatdeliberatelykickedtheballashardaseverhecoulddowntowardstheseaweedyrocks。NeedlesstosaypoorTommywasnotslowtovoicehisdismaybutluckilythegentlemaninblackwhowassittingtherebyhimselfcamegallantlytotherescueandinterceptedtheball。OurtwochampionsclaimedtheirplaythingwithlustycriesandtoavoidtroubleCissyCaffreycalledtothegentlemantothrowittoherplease。ThegentlemanaimedtheballonceortwiceandthenthrewitupthestrandtowardsCissyCaffreybutitrolleddowntheslopeandstoppedrightunderGerty’sskirtnearthelittlepoolbytherock。ThetwinsclamouredagainforitandCissytoldhertokickitawayandletthemfightforitsoGertydrewbackherfootbutshewishedtheirstupidballhadn’tcomerollingdowntoherandshegaveakickbutshemissedandEdyandCissylaughed——

Ifyoufailtryagain，EdyBoardmansaid。

Gertysmiledassentandbitherlip。Adelicatepinkcreptintoherprettycheekbutshewasdeterminedtoletthemseesoshejustliftedherskirtalittlebutjustenoughandtookgoodaimandgavetheballajollygoodkickanditwenteversofarandthetwotwinsafteritdowntowardstheshingle。Purejealousyofcourseitwasnothingelsetodrawattentiononaccountofthegentlemanoppositelooking。Shefeltthewarmflush，adangersignalalwayswithGertyMacDowell，surgingandflamingintohercheeks。Tillthentheyhadonlyexchangedglancesofthemostcasualbutnowunderthebrimofhernewhatsheventuredalookathimandthefacethatmethergazethereinthetwilight，wanandstrangelydrawn，seemedtoherthesaddestshehadeverseen。

Throughtheopenwindowofthechurchthefragrantincensewaswaftedandwithitthefragrantnamesofherwhowasconceivedwithoutstainoforiginalsin，spiritualvessel，prayforus，honourablevessel，prayforus，vesselofsingulardevotion，prayforus，mysticalrose。Andcarewornheartswerethereandtoilersfortheirdailybreadandmanywhohaderredandwandered，theireyeswetwithcontritionbutforallthatbrightwithhopeforthereverendfatherHugheshadtoldthemwhatthegreatsaintBernardsaidinhisfamousprayerofMary，themostpiousVirgin’sintercessorypowerthatitwasnotrecordedinanyagethatthosewhoimploredherpowerfulprotectionwereeverabandonedbyher。

Thetwinswerenowplayingagainrightmerrilyforthetroublesofchildhoodarebutasfleetingsummershowers。CissyplayedwithbabyBoardmantillhecrowedwithglee，clappingbabyhandsinair。PeepshecriedbehindthehoodofthepushcarandEdyaskedwherewasCissygoneandthenCissypoppedupherheadandcriedah！and，myword，didn’tthelittlechapenjoythat！Andthenshetoldhimtosaypapa——

Saypapa，baby。Saypapapapapapapa。

Andbabydidhislevelbesttosayitforhewasveryintelligentforelevenmonthseveryonesaidandbigforhisageandthepictureofhealth，aperfectlittlebunchoflove，andhewouldcertainlyturnouttobesomethinggreat，theysaid——

Hajajajahaja。

Cissywipedhislittlemouthwiththedribblingbibandwantedhimtositupproperly，andsaypapapabutwhensheundidthestrapshecriedout，holysaintDenis，thathewaspossingwetandtodoublethehalfblankettheotherwayunderhim。Ofcoursehisinfantmajestywasmostobstreperousatsuchtoiletformalitiesandheleteveryoneknowit:——

Habaabaaaahabaaabaaaa。

Andtwogreatbiglovelybigtearscoursingdownhischeeks。Itwasallnousesootheringhimwithno，nono，baby，noandtellinghimaboutthegeegeeandwherewasthepuffpuffbutCiss，alwaysreadywitted，gavehiminhismouththeteatofthesuckingbottleandtheyoungheathenwasquicklyappeased。

Gertywishedtogoodnesstheywouldtaketheirsquallingbabyhomeoutofthatandnotgetonhernervesnohourtobeoutandthelittlebratsoftwins。Shegazedouttowardsthedistantsea。Itwaslikethepaintingsthatmanusedtodoonthepavementwithallthecolouredchalksandsuchapitytooleavingthemtheretobeallblottedout，theeveningandthecloudscomingoutandtheBaileylightonHowthandtohearthemusiclikethatandtheperfumeofthoseincensetheyburnedinthechurchlikeakindofwaft。Andwhileshegazedherheartwentpitapat。Yes，itwasherhewaslookingatandtherewasmeaninginhislook。Hiseyesburnedintoherasthoughtheywouldsearchherthroughandthrough，readherverysoul。Wonderfuleyestheywere，superblyexpressive，butcouldyoutrustthem？Peopleweresoqueer。Shecouldseeatoncebyhisdarkeyesandhispaleintellectualfacethathewasaforeigner，theimageofthephotoshehadofMartinHarvey，thematinéeidol，onlyforthemoustachewhichshepreferredbecauseshewasn’tstagestrucklikeWinnyRippinghamthatwantedtheytwotoalwaysdressthesameonaccountofaplaybutshecouldnotseewhetherhehadanaquilinenoseoraslightlyretmusséfromwherehewassitting。Hewasindeepmourning，shecouldseethat，andthestoryofahauntingsorrowwaswrittenonhisface。Shewouldhavegivenworldstoknowwhatitwas。Hewaslookingupsointently，sostillandhesawherkicktheballandperhapshecouldseethebrightsteelbucklesofhershoesifsheswungthemlikethatthoughtfullywiththetoesdown。ShewasgladthatsomethingtoldhertoputonthetransparentstockingsthinkingReggyWyliemightbeoutbutthatwasfaraway。Herewasthatofwhichshehadsooftendreamed。Itwashewhomatteredandtherewasjoyonherfacebecauseshewantedhimbecauseshefeltinstinctivelythathewaslikeno-oneelse。Theveryheartofthegirlwomanwentouttohim，herdreamhusband，becausesheknewontheinstantitwashim。Ifhehadsuffered，moresinnedagainstthansinning，oreven，even，ifhehadbeenhimselfasinner，awickedman，shecarednot。Evenifhewasaprotestantormethodistshecouldconverthimeasilyifhetrulylovedher。Therewerewoundsthatwantedhealingwithheartbalm。Shewasawomanlywomannotlikeotherflightygirls，unfeminine，hehadknown，thosecyclistsshowingoffwhattheyhadn’tgotandshejustyearnedtoknowall，toforgiveallifshecouldmakehimfallinlovewithher，makehimforgetthememoryofthepast。Thenmayhaphewouldembracehergently，likearealman，crushinghersoftbodytohim，andloveher，hisownestgirlie，forherselfalone。

Refugeofsinners。Comfortressoftheafflicted。Orapronobis。Wellhasitbeensaidthatwhosoeverpraystoherwithfaithandconstancycanneverbelostorcastaway:andfitlyisshetooahavenofrefugefortheafflictedbecauseofthesevendolourswhichtranspiercedherownheart。Gertycouldpicturethewholesceneinthechurch，thestainedglasswindowslightedup，thecandles，theflowersandthebluebannersoftheblessedVirgin’ssodalityandFatherConroywashelpingCanonO’Hanlonatthealtar，carryingthingsinandoutwithhiseyescastdown。Helookedalmostasaintandhisconfession-boxwassoquietandcleananddarkandhishandswerejustlikewhitewaxandifevershebecameaDominicannunintheirwhitehabitperhapshemightcometotheconventforthenovenaofSaintDominic。Hetoldherthattimewhenshetoldhimaboutthatinconfessioncrimsoninguptotherootsofherhairforfearhecouldsee，nottobetroubledbecausethatwasonlythevoiceofnatureandwewereallsubjecttonatureslaws，hesaid，inthislifeandthatthatwasnosinbecausethatcamefromthenatureofwomaninstitutedbyGod，hesaid，andthatOurBlessedLadyherselfsaidtothearchangelGabrielbeitdoneuntomeaccordingtoThyWord。Hewassokindandholyandoftenandoftenshethoughtandthoughtcouldsheworkaruchedteacosywithembroideredfloraldesignforhimasapresentoraclockbuttheyhadaclockshenoticedonthemantelpiecewhiteandgoldwithacanarybirdthatcameoutofalittlehousetotellthetimethedayshewentthereabouttheflowersforthefortyhours’adorationbecauseitwashardtoknowwhatsortofapresenttogiveorperhapsanalbumofilluminatedviewsofDublinorsomeplace。

TheexasperatinglittlebratsoftwinsbegantoquarrelagainandJackythrewtheballouttowardstheseaandtheybothranafterit。Littlemonkeyscommonasditchwater。Someoneoughttotakethemandgivethemagoodhidingforthemselvestokeepthemintheirplaces，thebothofthem。AndCissyandEdyshoutedafterthemtocomebackbecausetheywereafraidthetidemightcomeinonthemandbedrowned——

Jacky！Tommy！

Notthey！Whatagreatnotiontheyhad！SoCissysaiditwastheverylasttimeshe’deverbringthemout。Shejumpedupandcalledthemandsherandowntheslopepasthim，tossingherhairbehindherwhichhadagoodenoughcolouriftherehadbeenmoreofitbutwithallthethingamerryshewasalwaysrubbingintoitshecouldn’tgetittogrowlongbecauseitwasn’tnaturalsoshecouldjustgoandthrowherhatatit。Sheranwithlongganderystridesitwasawondershedidn’tripupherskirtatthesidethatwastootightonherbecausetherewasalotofthetomboyaboutCissyCaffreyandshewasaforwardpiecewhenevershethoughtshehadagoodopportunitytoshowoffandjustbecauseshewasagoodrunnersheranlikethatsothathecouldseealltheendofherpetticoatrunningandherskinnyshanksupasfaraspossible。ItwouldhaveservedherjustrightifshehadtrippedupoversomethingaccidentallyonpurposewithherhighcrookedFrenchheelsonhertomakeherlooktallandgotafinetumble。Tableau！Thatwouldhavebeenaverycharmingexposéforagentlemanlikethattowitness。

Queenofangels，queenofpatriarchs，queenofprophets，ofallsaints，theyprayed，queenofthemostholyrosaryandthenFatherConroyhandedthethuribletoCanonO’HanlonandheputintheincenseandcensedtheBlessedSacramentandCissyCaffreycaughtthetwotwinsandshewasitchingtogivethemaringinggoodclipontheearbutshedidn’tbecauseshethoughthemightbewatchingbutshenevermadeabiggermistakeinallherlifebecauseGertycouldseewithoutlookingthathenevertookhiseyesoffofherandthenCanonO’HanlonhandedthethuriblebacktoFatherConroyandkneltdownlookingupattheBlessedSacramentandthechoirbegantosingTantumegoandshejustswungherfootinandoutintimeasthemusicroseandfelltotheTantumergosacramentum。ThreeandelevenshepaidforthosestockingsinSparrow’sofGeorge’sstreetontheTuesday，notheMondaybeforeEasterandtherewasn’tabrackonthemandthatwaswhathewaslookingat，transparent，andnotatherinsignificantonesthathadneithershapenorform(thecheekofher！)becausehehadeyesinhisheadtoseethedifferenceforhimself。

Cissycameupalongthestrandwiththetwotwinsandtheirballwithherhatanyhowonhertoonesideafterherrunandshedidlookastreeltuggingthetwokidsalongwiththeflimsyblousesheboughtonlyafortnightbeforelikearagonherbackandbitofherpetticoathanginglikeacaricature。Gertyjusttookoffherhatforamomenttosettleherhairandaprettier，adaintierheadofnutbrowntresseswasneverseenonagirl’sshoulders，aradiantlittlevision，insooth，almostmaddeninginitssweetness。Youwouldhavetotravelmanyalongmilebeforeyoufoundaheadofhairthelikeofthat。Shecouldalmostseetheswiftansweringflushofadmirationinhiseyesthatsethertinglingineverynerve。Sheputonherhatsothatshecouldseefromunderneaththebrimandswungherbuckledshoefasterforherbreathcaughtasshecaughttheexpressioninhiseyes。Hewaseyeingherasasnakeeyesitsprey。Herwoman’sinstincttoldherthatshehadraisedthedevilinhimandatthethoughtaburningscarletsweptfromthroattobrowtillthelovelycolourofherfacebecameagloriousrose。

EdyBoardmanwasnoticingittoobecauseshewassquintingatGerty，halfsmiling，withherspecs，likeanoldmaid，pretendingtonursethebaby。Irritablelittlegnatshewasandalwayswouldbeandthatwaswhyno-onecouldgetonwithher，pokinghernoseintowhatwasnoconcernofhers。AndshesaidtoGerty:——

Apennyforyourthoughts——

What？repliedGertywithasmilereinforcedbythewhitestofteeth。Iwasonlywonderingwasitlate。

Becauseshewishedtogoodnessthey’dtakethesnottynosedtwinsandtheirbabyhometothemischiefoutofthatsothatwaswhyshejustgaveagentlehintaboutitsbeinglate。AndwhenCissycameupEdyaskedherthetimeandMissCissy，asglibasyoulike，saiditwashalfpastkissingtime，timetokissagain。ButEdywantedtoknowbecausetheyweretoldtobeinearly——

Wait，saidCissy，I’llaskmyunclePeterovertherewhat’sthetimebyhisconundrum。

Soovershewentandwhenhesawhercomingshecouldseehimtakehishandoutofhispocket，gettingnervous，andbeginningtoplaywithhiswatchchain，lookingatthechurch。PassionatenaturethoughhewasGertycouldseethathehadenormouscontroloverhimself。Onemomenthehadbeenthere，fascinatedbyalovelinessthatmadehimgaze，andthenextmomentitwasthequietgravefacedgentleman，selfcontrolexpressedineverylineofhisdistinguishedlookingfigure。

CissysaidtoexcuseherwouldhemindtellingherwhatwastherighttimeandGertycouldseehimtakingouthiswatch，listeningtoitandlookingupandclearinghisthroatandhesaidhewasverysorryhiswatchwasstoppedbuthethoughtitmustbeaftereightbecausethesunwasset。Hisvoicehadaculturedringinitandthoughhespokeinmeasuredaccentstherewasasuspicionofaquiverinthemellowtones。Cissysaidthanksandcamebackwithhertongueoutandsaidunclesaidhiswaterworkswereoutoforder。

ThentheysangthesecondverseoftheTantumergoandCanonO’HanlongotupagainandcensedtheBlessedSacramentandkneltdownandhetoldFatherConroythatoneofthecandleswasjustgoingtosetfiretotheflowersandFatherConroygotupandsettleditallrightandshecouldseethegentlemanwindinghiswatchandlisteningtotheworksandsheswungherlegmoreinandoutintime。Itwasgettingdarkerbuthecouldseeandhewaslookingallthetimethathewaswindingthewatchorwhateverhewasdoingtoitandthenheputitbackandputhishandsbackintohispockets。ShefeltaKindofasensationrushingalloverherandsheknewbythefeelofherscalpandthatirritationagainstherstaysthatthatthingmustbecomingonbecausethelasttimetoowaswhensheclippedherhaironaccountofthemoon。Hisdarkeyesfixedthemselvesonheragaindrinkinginhereverycontour，literallyworshippingathershrine。Ifevertherewasundisguisedadmirationinaman’spassionategazeitwasthereplaintobeseenonthatman’sface。Itisforyou，GertrudeMacDowell，andyouknowit。

EdybegantogetreadytogoanditwashightimeforherandGertynoticedthatthatlittlehintshegavehadthedesiredeffectbecauseitwasalongwayalongthestrandtowheretherewastheplacetopushupthepushcarandCissytookoffthetwins’capsandtidiedtheirhairtomakeherselfattractiveofcourseandCanonO’HanlonstoodupwithhiscopepokingupathisneckandFatherConroyhandedhimthecardtoreadoffandhereadoutPanemdecloprstitistieisandEdyandCissyweretalkingaboutthetimeallthetimeandaskingherbutGertycouldpaythembackintheirowncoinandshejustansweredwithscathingpolitenesswhenEdyaskedherwassheheartbrokenaboutherbestboythrowingherover。Gertywincedsharply。Abriefcoldblazeshonefromhereyesthatspokevolumesofscornimmeasurable。Ithurt。Oyes，itcutdeepbecauseEdyhadherownquietwayofsayingthingslikethatsheknewwouldwoundliketheconfoundedlittlecatshewas。Gerty’slipspartedswiftlytoframethewordbutshefoughtbackthesobthatrosetoherthroat，soslim，soflawless，sobeautifullymouldeditseemedoneanartistmighthavedreamedof。Shehadlovedhimbetterthanheknew。Lighthearteddeceiverandficklelikeallhissexhewouldneverunderstandwhathehadmeanttoherandforaninstanttherewasintheblueeyesaquickstingingoftears。Theireyeswereprobinghermercilesslybutwithabraveeffortshesparkledbackinsympathyassheglancedathernewconquestforthemtosee——

O，respondedGerty，quickaslightning，laughing，andtheproudheadflashedup，IcanthrowmycapatwhoIlikebecauseit’sleapyear。

Herwordsrangoutcrystalclear，moremusicalthanthecooingoftheringdove，buttheycutthesilenceicily。Therewasthatinheryoungvoicethattoldthatshewasnotaonetobelightlytrifledwith。AsforMrReggywithhisswankandhisbitofmoneyshecouldjustchuckhimasideasifhewassomuchfilthandneveragainwouldshecastasmuchasasecondthoughtonhimandtearhissillypostcardintoadozenpieces。Anditeverafterhedaredtopresumeshecouldgivehimonelookofmeasuredscornthatwouldmakehimshriveluponthespot。MisspunylittleEdy’scountenancefelltonoslightextentandGertycouldseebyherlookingasblackasthunderthatshewassimplyinatoweringragethoughshehidit，thelittlekinnatt，becausethatshafthadstruckhomeforherpettyjealousyandtheybothknewthatshewassomethingaloof，apartinanothersphere，thatshewasnotofthemandtherewassomebodyelsetoothatknewitandsawitsotheycouldputthatintheirpipeandsmokeit。

EdystraightenedupbabyBoardmantogetreadytogoandCissytuckedintheballandthespadesandbucketsanditwashightimetoobecausethesandmanwasonhiswayforMasterBoardmanjuniorandCissytoldhimtoothatBillyWinkswascomingandthatbabywastogodeedawandbabylookedjusttooducky，laughingupoutofhisgleefuleyes，andCissypokedhimlikethatoutoffuninhisweefattummyandbaby，withoutasmuchasbyyourleave，sentuphiscomplimentsontohisbrandnewdribblingbib。

Omy！Puddenypie！protestedCiss。Hehashisbibdestroyed。

Theslightcontretempsclaimedherattentionbutintwotwosshesetthatlittlemattertorights。

GertystifledasmotheredexclamationandgaveanervouscoughandEdyaskedwhatandshewasjustgoingtotellhertocatchitwhileitwasflyingbutshewaseverladylikeinherdeportmentsoshesimplypasseditoffwithconsummatetactbysayingthatthatwasthebenedictionbecausejustthenthebellrangoutfromthesteepleoverthequietseashorebecauseCanonO’HanlonwasuponthealtarwiththeveilthatFatherConroyputroundhimroundhisshouldersgivingthebenedictionwiththeblessedSacramentinhishands。

Howmovingthescenethereinthegatheringtwilight，thelastglimpseofErin，thetouchingchimeofthoseeveningbellsandatthesametimeabatflewforthfromtheiviedbelfrythroughthedusk，hither，thither，withatinylostcry。AndshecouldseefarawaythelightsofthelighthousessopicturesqueshewouldhavelovedtodowithaboxofpaintsbecauseitwaseasierthantomakeamanandsoonthelamplighterwouldbegoinghisroundspastthepresbyterianchurchgroundsandalongbyshadyTritonvilleavenuewherethecoupleswalkedandlightingthelampnearherwindowwhereReggyWylieusedtoturnhisfreewheellikeshereadinthatbookTheLamplighterbyMissCummins，authorofMabelVaughanandothertales。ForGertyhadherdreamsthatno-oneknewof。ShelovedtoreadpoetryandwhenshegotakeepsakefromBerthaSuppleofthatlovelyconfessionalbumwiththecoralpinkcovertowriteherthoughtsinshelaiditinthedrawerofhertoilettablewhich，thoughitdidnoterronthesideofluxury，wasscrupulouslyneatandclean。Itwasthereshekepthergirlishtreasurestrove，thetortoiseshellcombs，herchildofMarybadge，thewhiterosescent，theeyebrowleine，heralabasterpouncetboxandtheribbonstochangewhenherthingscamehomefromthewashandthereweresomebeautifulthoughtswritteninitinvioletinkthatsheboughtinHely’sofDameStreetforshefeltthatshetoocouldwritepoetryifshecouldonlyexpressherselflikethatpoemthatappealedtohersodeeplythatshehadcopiedoutofthenewspapershefoundoneeveningroundthepotherbs。Artthoureal，myideal？itwascalledbyLouisJ。Walsh，Magherafelt，andaftertherewassomethingabouttwilight，wiltthouever？andofttimesthebeautyofpoetry，sosadinitstransientloveliness，hadmistedhereyeswithsilenttearsthattheyearswereslippingbyforher，onebyone，andbutforthatoneshortcomingsheknewsheneedfearnocompetitionandthatwasanaccidentcomingdownDalkeyhillandshealwaystriedtoconcealit。Butitmustendshefelt。Ifshesawthatmagiclureinhiseyestherewouldbenoholdingbackforher。Lovelaughsatlocksmiths。Shewouldmakethegreatsacrifice。Hereveryeffortwouldbetosharehisthoughts。Dearerthanthewholeworldwouldshebetohimandgildhisdayswithhappiness。Therewastheallimportantquestionandshewasdyingtoknowwasheamarriedmanorawidowerwhohadlosthiswifeorsometragedylikethenoblemanwiththeforeignnamefromthelandofsonghadtohaveherputintoamadhouse，cruelonlytobekind。Butevenif-whatthen？Woulditmakeaverygreatdifference？Fromeverythingintheleastindelicateherfinebrednatureinstinctivelyrecoiled。Sheloathedthatsortofperson，thefallenwomenofftheaccommodationwalkbesidetheDodderthatwentwiththesoldiersandcoarsemen，withnorespectforagirl’shonour，degradingthesexandbeingtakenuptothepolicestation。No，no:notthat。TheywouldbejustgoodfriendslikeabigbrotherandsisterwithoutallthatotherinspiteoftheconventionsofSocietywithabigess。Perhapsitwasanoldflamehewasinmourningforfromthedaysbeyondrecall。Shethoughtsheunderstood。Shewouldtrytounderstandhimbecausemenweresodifferent。Theoldlovewaswaiting，waitingwithlittlewhitehandsstretchedout，withblueappealingeyes。Heartofmine！Shewouldfollowherdreamoflove，thedictatesofherheartthattoldherhewasherallinall，theonlymaninalltheworldforherforlovewasthemasterguide。Nothingelsemattered。Comewhatmightshewouldbewild，untrammelled，free。

CanonO’HanlonputtheBlessedSacramentbackintothetabernacleandthechoirsangLaudateDominumomnesgentesandthenhelockedthetabernacledoorbecausethebenedictionwasoverandFatherConroyhandedhimhishattoputonandcrosscatEdyaskedwasn’tshecomingbutJackyCaffreycalledout:——

O，look，Cissy！

AndtheyalllookedwasitsheetlightningbutTommysawittoooverthetreesbesidethechurch，blueandthengreenandpurple——

It’sfireworks，CissyCaffreysaid。

Andtheyallrandownthestrandtoseeoverthehousesandthechurch，helterskelter，EdywiththepushcarwithbabyBoardmaninitandCissyholdingTommyandJackybythehandsotheywouldn’tfallrunning——

Comeon，Gerty，Cissycalled。It’sthebazaarfireworks。

ButGertywasadamant。Shehadnointentionofbeingattheirbeckandcall。Iftheycouldrunlikerossiesshecouldsitsoshesaidshecouldseefromwhereshewas。Theeyesthatwerefasteneduponhersetherpulsestingling。Shelookedathimamoment，meetinghisglance，andalightbrokeinuponher。Whitehotpassionwasinthatface，passionsilentasthegrave，andithadmadeherhis。Atlasttheywereleftalonewithouttheotherstopryandpassremarksandsheknewhecouldbetrustedtothedeath，steadfast，asterlingman，amanofinflexiblehonourtohisfingertips。Hishandsandfacewereworkingandatremorwentoverher。Sheleanedbackfartolookupwherethefireworkswereandshecaughtherkneeinherhandssoasnottofallbacklookingupandtherewasnoonetoseeonlyhimandherwhensherevealedallhergracefulbeautifullyshapedlegslikethat，supplysoftanddelicatelyrounded，andsheseemedtohearthepantingofhisheart，hishoarsebreathing，becausesheknewaboutthepassionofmenlikethat，hot-blooded，becauseBerthaSuppletoldheronceindeadsecretandmadeherswearshe’dneveraboutthegentlemanlodgerthatwasstayingwiththemoutoftheCongestedDistrictsBoardthathadpicturescutoutofpapersofthoseskirtdancersandhighkickersandshesaidheusedtodosomethingnotverynicethatyoucouldimaginesometimesinthebed。Butthiswasaltogetherdifferentfromathinglikethatbecausetherewasallthedifferencebecauseshecouldalmostfeelhimdrawherfacetohisandthefirstquickhottouchofhishandsomelips。Besidestherewasabsolutionsolongasyoudidn’tdotheotherthingbeforebeingmarriedandthereoughttobewomenprieststhatwouldunderstandwithoutyourtellingoutandCissyCaffreytoosometimeshadthatdreamykindofdreamylookinhereyessothatshetoo，mydear，andWinnyRippinghamsomadaboutactors’photographsandbesidesitwasonaccountofthatotherthingcomingonthewayitdid。

AndJackyCaffreyshoutedtolook，therewasanotherandsheleanedbackandthegarterswerebluetomatchonaccountofthetransparentandtheyallsawitandshoutedtolook，lookthereitwasandsheleanedbackeversofartoseethefireworksandsomethingqueerwasflyingaboutthroughtheair，asoftthingtoandfro，dark。AndshesawalongRomancandlegoingupoverthetreesup，up，and，inthetensehush，theywereallbreathlesswithexcitementasitwenthigherandhigherandshehadtoleanbackmoreandmoretolookupafterit，high，high，almostoutofsight，andherfacewassuffusedwithadivine，anentrancingblushfromstrainingbackandhecouldseeherotherthingstoo，nainsookknickers，thefabricthatcaressestheskin，betterthanthoseotherpettiwidth，thegreen，fourandeleven，onaccountofbeingwhiteandshelethimandshesawthathesawandthenitwentsohighitwentoutofsightamomentandshewastremblingineverylimbfrombeingbentsofarbackhehadafullviewhighupaboveherkneeno-oneevernotevenontheswingorwadingandshewasn’tashamedandhewasn’teithertolookinthatimmodestwaylikethatbecausehecouldn’tresistthesightofthewondrousrevealmenthalfofferedlikethoseskirt-dancersbehavingsoimmodestbeforegentlemenlookingandhekeptonlooking，looking。Shewouldfainhavecriedtohimchokingly，heldouthersnowyslenderarmstohimtocome，tofeelhislipslaidonherwhitebrowthecryofayounggirl’slove，alittlestrangledcry，wrungfromher，thatcrythathasrungthroughtheages。AndthenarocketsprangandbangshotblindandO！thentheRomancandleburstanditwaslikeasighofO！andeveryonecriedO！O！inrapturesanditgushedoutofitastreamofraingoldhairthreadsandtheyshedandah！theywereallgreenydewystarsfallingwithgolden，Osolively！Ososoft，sweet，soft！

Thenallmeltedawaydewilyinthegreyair:allwassilent。Ah！Sheglancedathimasshebentforwardquickly，apatheticlittleglanceofpiteousprotest，ofshyreproachunderwhichhecolouredlikeagirl。Hewasleaningbackagainsttherockbehind。LeopoldBloom(foritishe)standssilent，withbowedheadbeforethoseyoungguilelesseyes。Whatabrutehehadbeen！Atitagain？Afairunsulliedsoulhadcalledtohimand，wretchthathewas，howhadheanswered？Anuttercadhehadbeen。Heofallmen！Buttherewasaninfinitestoreofmercyinthoseeyes，forhimtooawordofpardoneventhoughhehaderredandsinnedandwandered。Shouldagirltell？No，athousandtimesno。Thatwastheirsecret，onlytheirs，aloneinthehidingtwilightandtherewasnonetoknowortellsavethelittlebatthatflewsosoftlythroughtheeveningtoandfroandlittlebatsdon’ttell。

CissyCaffreywhistled，imitatingtheboysinthefootballfieldtoshowwhatagreatpersonshewas:andthenshecried:——

Gerty！Gerty！We’regoing。Comeon。Wecanseefromfartherup。

Gertyhadanidea，oneoflove’slittleruses。Sheslippedahandintoherkerchiefpocketandtookoutthewaddingandwavedinreplyofcoursewithoutlettinghimandthenslippeditback。Wonderifhe’stoofarto。Sherose。Wasitgoodbye？No。Shehadtogobuttheywouldmeetagain，there，andshewoulddreamofthattillthen，tomorrow，ofherdreamofyestereve。Shedrewherselfuptoherfullheight。Theirsoulsbetinalastlingeringglanceandtheeyesthatreachedherheart，fullofastrangeshining，hungenrapturedonhersweetflowerlikeface。Shehalfsmiledathimwanly，asweetforgivingsmile，asmilethatvergedontears，andthentheyparted。

SlowlywithoutlookingbackshewentdowntheunevenstrandtoCissy，toEdy，toJackyandTommyCaffrey，tolittlebabyBoardman。Itwasdarkernowandtherewerestonesandbitsofwoodonthestrandandslippyseaweed。ShebalkedwithacertainquietdignitycharacteristicofherbutwithcareandveryslowlybecauseGertyMacDowellwas……

Tightboots？No。She’slame！O！

MrBloomwatchedherasshelimpedaway。Poorgirl！That’swhyshe’sleftontheshelfandtheothersdidasprint。Thoughtsomethingwaswrongbythecutofherjib。Jiltedbeauty。Adefectistentimesworseinawoman。Butmakesthempolite。GladIdidn’tknowitwhenshewasonshow。HotlittledevilallThesame。Wouldn’tmind。Curiositylikeanunoranegressoragirlwithglasses。Thatsquintyoneisdelicate。Nearhermonthlies，Iexpect，makesthemfeelticklish。Ihavesuchabadheadachetoday。WheredidIputtheletter？Yes，allright。Allkindsofcrazylongings。Lickingpennies。GirlinTranquillaconventthatnuntoldmelikedtosmellrockoil。VirginsgomadintheendIsuppose。Sister？HowmanywomeninDublinhaveittoday？Martha，she。Somethingintheair。That’sthemoon。Butthenwhydon’tallwomenmenstruateatthesametimewithsamemoon，Imean？Dependsonthetimetheywereborn，Isuppose。Orallstartscratchthengetoutofstep。SometimesMollyandMillytogether。AnyhowIgotthebestofthat。DamnedgladIdidn’tdoitinthebaththismorningoverhersillyIwillpunishyouletter。Madeupforthattramdriverthismorning。ThatgougerM’Coystoppingmetosaynothing。Andhiswifeengagementinthecountryvalise，voicelikeapickaxe。Thankfulforsmallmercies。Cheaptoo。Yoursfortheasking。Becausetheywantitthemselves。Theirnaturalcraving。Shoalsofthemeveryeveningpouredoutofoffices。Reservebetter。Don’twantittheythrowitatyou。Catchemalive，O。Pitytheycan’tseethemselves。Adreamofwellfilledhose。Wherewasthat？Ah，yes。MuioscopepicturesinCapelstreet:formenonly。PeepingTom。Willy’shatandwhatthegirlsdidwithit。Dotheysnapshotthosegirlsorisitallafake？Lingeriedoesit。Feltforthecurvesinsideherdeshabillé。Excitesthemalsowhenthey’re。I’mallcleancomeanddirtyme。Andtheylikedressingoneanotherforthesacrifice。MillydelightedwithMolly’snewblouse。Atfirst。Putthemallontotakethemalloff。Molly。WhyIboughtherthevioletgarters。Ustoo:thetiehewore，hislovelysocksandturneduptrousers。Heworeapairofgaitersthenightthatfirstwemet。Hislovelyshirtwasshiningbeneathhiswhat？ofjet。Sayawomanlosesacharmwitheverypinshetakesout。Pinnedtogether。OMairylostthepinofher。Dresseduptotheninesforsomebody。Fashionpartoftheircharm。Justchangeswhenyou’reonthetrackofthesecret。Excepttheeast:Mary，Martha:nowasthen。Noreasonableofferrefused。Shewasn’tinahurryeither。Alwaysofftoafellowwhentheyare。Theyneverforgetanappointment。Outonspecprobably。Theybelieveinchancebecauselikethemselves。Andtheothersinclinedtogiveheranodddig。Girlfriendsatschool，armsroundeachother’sneckorwithtenfingerslocked，kissingandwhisperingsecretsaboutnothingintheconventgarden。Nunswithwhitewashedfaces，coolcoifandtheirrosariesgoingupanddown，vindictivetooforwhattheycan’tget。Barbedwire。Besurenowandwritetome。AndI’llwritetoyou。Nowwon’tyou？MollyandJosiePowell。TillMrRightcomesalongthenmeetonceinabluemoon。Tableau！O，lookwhoitisfortheloveofGod！Howareyouatall？Whathaveyoubeendoingwithyourself？Kissanddelightedto，kiss，toseeyou。Pickingholesineachother’sappearance。You’relookingsplendid。Sistersoulsshowingtheirteethatoneanother。Howmanyhaveyouleft？Wouldn’tlendeachotherapinchofsalt。

Ah！

Devilstheyarewhenthat’scomingonthem。Darkdevilishappearance。Mollyoftentoldmefeelthingsatonweight。Scratchthesoleofmyfoot。Othatway！O，that’sexquisite！Feelitmyselftoo。Goodtorestonceinaway。Wonderifit’sbadtogowiththemthen。Safeinoneway。Turnsmilk，makesfiddlestringssnap。SomethingaboutwitheringplantsIreadinagarden。Besidestheysayiftheflowerwithersshewearsshe’saflirt。Allare。DaresayshefeltI。Whenyoufeellikethatyouoftenmeetwhatyoufeel。Likedmeorwhat？Dresstheylookat。Alwaysknowafellowcourting:collarsandcuffs。Wellcocksandlionsdothesameandstags。Sametimemightpreferatieundoneorsomething。Trousers？SupposeIwhenIwas？No。Gentlydoesit。Dislikeroughandtumble。Kissinthedarkandnevertell。Sawsomethinginme。Wonderwhat。SoonerhavemeasIamthansomepoetchapwithbearsgrease，plasteryhairlovelockoverhisdexteroptic。Toaidgentlemaninliterary。Oughttoattendtomyappearancemyage。Didn’tletherseemeinprofile。Still，youneverknow。Prettygirlsanduglymenmarrying。Beautyandthebeast。BesidesIcan’tbesoifMolly。Tookoffherhattoshowherhair。Widebrimboughttohideherface，meetingsomeonemightknowher，benddownorcarryabunchofflowerstosmell。Hairstronginrut。TenbobIgotforMolly’scombingswhenwewereontherocksinHollesstreet。Whynot？Supposehegavehermoney。Whynot？Allaprejudice。She’sworthten，fifteen，moreapound。Allthatfornothing。Boldhand。MrsMarion。DidIforgettowriteaddressonthatletterlikethepostcardIsenttoFlynn？AndthedayIwenttoDrimmie’swithoutanecktie。WranglewithMollyitwasputmeoff。No，Iremember。RichieGoulding。He’sanother。Weighsonhismind。Funnymywatchstoppedathalfpastfour。Dust。Sharkliveroiltheyusetocleancoulddoitmyself。Save。Wasthatjustwhenhe，she？

O，hedid。Intoher。Shedid。Done。

Ah！

MrBloomwithcarefulhandrecomposedhiswetshirt。OLord，thatlittlelimpingdevil。BeginstofeelcoldandclammyAftereffectnotpleasant。Stillyouhavetogetridofitsomeway。Theydon’tcare。Complimentedperhaps。Gohometoniceybreadandmilkyandsaynightprayerswiththekiddies。Well，aren’tthey。Seeherassheisspoilall。Musthavethestagesetting，therouge，costume，position，music。Thenametoo。Amoursofactresses。NellGwynn，MrsBracegirdle，MaudBranscombe。Curtainup。Moonlightsilvereffulgence。Maidendiscoveredwithpensivebosom。LittlesweetheartcomeandkissmeStillIfeel。Thestrengthitgivesaman。That’sthesecretofit。GoodjobIletofftherebehindcomingoutofDignam’s。Ciderthatwas。OtherwiseIcouldn’thave。Makesyouwanttosingafter。Lacausesanttaratara。SupposeIspoketoher。Whatabout？Badplanhoweverifyoudon’tknowhowtoendtheconversation。Askthemaquestiontheyaskyouanother。Goodideaifyou’reinacart。Wonderfulofcourseifyousay:goodevening，andyouseeshe’sonforit:goodevening。ObutthedarkeveningintheAppianwayInearlyspoketoMrsClinchOthinkingshewas。Whew！GirlinMeathstreetthatnight。AllthedirtythingsImadehersayallwrongofcourse。Myarksshecalledit。It’ssohardtofindonewho。Aho！Ifyoudon’tanswerwhentheysolicitmustbehorribleforthemtilltheyharden。AndkissedmyhandwhenIgavehertheextratwoshillings。Parrots。Pressthebuttonandthebirdwillsqueak。Wishshehadn’tcalledmesir。Oh，hermouthinthedark！Andyouamarriedmanwithasinglegirl！That’swhattheyenjoy。Takingamanfromanotherwoman。Orevenhearofit。Differentwithme。Gladtogetawayfromotherchap’swife。Eatingoffhiscoldplate。ChapintheBurtontodayspittingbackgumchewedgristle。Frenchletterstillinmypocketbook。Causeofhalfthetrouble。Butmighthappensometime，Idon’tthink。Comein。Allisprepared。Idreamt。What？Worstisbeginning。Howtheychangethevenuewhenit’snotwhattheylike。Askyoudoyoulikemushroomsbecausesheonceknewagentlemanwho。Oraskyouwhatsomeonewasgoingtosaywhenhechangedhismindandstopped。YetifIwentthewholehog，say:Iwantto，somethinglikethat。BecauseIdid。Shetoo。Offendher。Thenmakeitup。Pretendtowantsomethingawfully，thencryoffforhersake。Flattersthem。Shemusthavebeenthinkingofsomeoneelseallthetime。Whatharm？Mustsinceshecametotheuseofreason，he，heandhe。FirstKissdoesthetrick。Thepropitiousmoment。Somethinginsidethemgoespop。Mushylike，tellbytheireye，onthesly。Firstthoughtsarebest。Rememberthattilltheirdyingday。Molly，lieutenantMulveythatkissedherundertheMoorishwallbesidethegardens。Fifteenshetoldme。Butherbreastsweredeveloped。Fellasleepthen。AfterGencreedinnerthatwaswhenwedrovehomethefeatherbedmountain。Gnashingherteethinsleep。Lordmayorhadhiseyeoffhertoo。ValDillon。Apoplectic。

Theresheiswiththemdownthereforthefireworks。Myfireworks。Uplikearocket，downlikeastick。Andthechildren，twinstheymustbe，waitingforsomethingtohappen。Wanttobegrownups。Dressinginmother’sclothes。Timeenough，understandallthewaysoftheworld。Andthedarkonewiththemopheadandtheniggermouth。Iknewshecouldwhistle。Mouthmadeforthat。LikeMolly。WhythathighclasswhoreInJammet’sworeherveilonlytohernose。Wouldyoumind，please，tellingmetherighttime？I’lltellyoutherighttimeupadarklane。Sayprunesandprismsfortytimeseverymorning，cureforfatlips。Caressingthelittleboytoo。Onlookersseemostofthegame。Ofcoursetheyunderstandbirds，animals，babies。Intheirline。

Didn’tlookbackwhenshewasgoingdownthestrand。Wouldn’tgivethatsatisfaction。Thosegirls，thosegirls，thoselovelyseasidegirls。Fineeyesshehad，clear。It’sthewhiteoftheeyebringsthatoutnotsomuchthepupil。DidsheknowwhatI？Course。Likeacatsittingbeyondadog’sjump。WomennevermeetonelikethatWilkinsinthehighschooldrawingapictureofVenuswithallhisbelongingsonshow。Callthatinnocence？Pooridiot！Hiswifehasherworkcutoutforher。NeverseethemsitonabenchmarkedWetPaint。Eyesalloverthem。Lookunderthebedforwhat’snotthere。Longingtogetthefrightoftheirlives。Sharpasneedlestheyare。WhenIsaidtoMollythemanatthecornerofCuffestreetwasgoodlooking，thoughtshemightlike，twiggedatoncehehadafalsearm。Hadtoo。Wheredotheygetthat？TypistgoingupRogerGreene’sstairstwoatatimetoshowherunderstandings。Handeddownfromfathertomothertodaughter，Imean。Bredinthebone。Millyforexampledryingherhandkerchiefonthemirrortosavetheironing。Bestplaceforanadtocatchawoman’seyeonamirror。AndwhenIsentherforMolly’sPaisleyshawltoPresscott’s，bythewaythatadImust，carryinghomethechangeinherstocking。Cleverlittleminx！Inevertoldher。Neatwayshecarriedparcelstoo。Attractmen，smallthinglikethat。Holdingupherhand，shakingit，toletthebloodflowbackwhenitwasred。Whodidyoulearnthatfrom？Nobody。Somethingthenursetaughtme。O，don’ttheyknow？ThreeyearsoldshewasinfrontofMolly’sdressingtablejustbeforeweleftLombardstreetwest。Mehaveaniceface。Mullingar。Whoknows？Waysoftheworld。Youngstudent。Straightonherpinsanywaynotliketheother。Stillshewasgame。Lord，Iamwet。Devilyouare。Swellofhercalf。Transparentstockings，stretchedtobreakingpoint。Notlikethatfrumptoday。A。E。Rumpledstockings。OrtheoneinGraftonstreet。White。Wow！Beeftotheheel。

Amonkeypuzzlerocketburst，splutteringindartingcrackles。Zradsandzrads，zrads，zrads。AndCissyandTommyranouttoseeandEdyafterwiththepushcarandthenGertybeyondthecurveoftherocks。Willshe？Watch！Watch！See！Lookedround。Shesmeltanonion。Darling，Isawyour。Isawall。

Lord！

Didmegoodallthesame。OffcolourafterKiernan’s，Dignam’s。Forthisreliefmuchthanks。InHamlet，thatis。Lord！Itwasallthingscombined。Excitement。Whensheleanedbackfeltanacheatthebuttofmytongue。Yourheaditsimplyswirls。He’sright。Mighthavemadeaworsefoolofmyselfhowever。Insteadoftalkingaboutnothing。ThenIwilltellyouall。Stillitwasakindoflanguagebetweenus。Itcouldn’tbe？No，Gertytheycalledher。MightbefalsenamehoweverlikemyandtheaddressDolphin’sbarnablind。

HermaidennamewasJeminaBrown

AndshelivedwithhermotherinIrishtown。

PlacemademethinkofthatIsuppose。Alltarredwiththesamebrush。Wipingpensintheirstockings。Buttheballrolleddowntoherasifitunderstood。Everybullethasitsbillet。CourseInevercouldthrowanythingstraightatschool。Crookedasaram’shorn。Sadhoweverbecauseitlastsonlyafewyearstilltheysettledowntopotwallopingandpapa’spantswillsoonfitWillyandfullers’earthforthebabywhentheyholdhimouttodoah。Nosoftjob。Savesthem。Keepsthemoutofharm’sway。Nature。Washingchild，washingcorpse。Dignam。Children’shandsalwaysroundthem。Cocoa-nutskulls，monkeys，notevenclosedatfirst，sourmilkintheirswaddlesandtaintedcurds。Oughtn’ttohavegiventhatchildanemptyteattosuck。Fillitupwithwind。MrsBeaufoy，Purefoy。Mustcalltothehospital。WonderisnurseCallantherestill。SheusedtolookoversomenightswhenMollywasintheCoffeePalace。ThatyoungdoctorO’HareInoticedherbrushinghiscoat。And，MrsBreenandMrsDignamoncelikethattoo，marriageable。WorstofallatnightMrsDuggantoldmeintheCityArms。Husbandrollingindrunk，stinkofpuboffhimlikeapolecat。Havethatinyournoseinthedark，whiffofstaleboose。Thenaskinthemorning:wasIdrunklastnight？Badpolicyhowevertofaultthehusband。Chickenscomehometoroost。Theystickbyoneanotherlikeglue。Maybethewomen’sfaultalso。That’swhereMollycanknockspotsoffthem。Itisthebloodofthesouth。Moorish。Alsotheform，thefigure。Handsfeltfortheopulent。Justcompareforinstancethoseothers。Wifelockedupathome，skeletoninthecupboard。Allowmetointroducemy。Thentheytrotyououtsomekindofanondescript，wouldn’tknowwhattocallher。Alwaysseeafellow’sweakpointinhiswife。Stillthere’sdestinyinit，fallinginlove。Havetheirownsecretsbetweenthem。Chapsthatwouldgotothedogsifsomewomandidn’ttaketheminhand。Thenlittlechitsofgirls，heightofashillingincoppers，withlittle

hobbies。AsGodmadethemHematchedthem。Sometimeschildrenturnoutwellenough。Twicenoughtmakesone。Oroldrichchapofseventyandblushingbride。MarryinMayandrepentinDecember。Thiswetisveryunpleasant。Stuck。Welltheforeskinisnotback。Betterdetach。

Ow！

Otherhandasixfooterwithawifeyuptohiswatchpocket。Longandtheshortofit。Bigheandlittleshe。Verystrangeaboutmywatch。Wristwatchesarealwaysgoingwrong。Wonderisthereanymagneticinfluencebetweenthepersonbecausethatwasaboutthetimehe。Yes，Isupposeatonce。Cat’sawaythemicewillplay。IrememberlookinginPilllane。Alsothatnowismagnetism。Backofeverythingmagnetism。Earthforinstancepullingthisandbeingpulled。Thatcausesmovement。Andtime？Wellthat’sthetimethemovementtakes。Thenifonethingstoppedthewholeghesabowouldstopbitbybit。Becauseit’sarranged。Magneticneedletellsyouwhat’sgoingoninthesun，thestars。Littlepieceofsteeliron。Whenyouholdoutthefork。Come。Come。Tip。Womanandmanthatis。Forkandsteel。Molly，he。Dressupandlookandsuggestandletyouseeandseemoreanddefyyouifyou’reamantoseethatand，likeasneezecoming，legs，look，lookandifyouhaveanygutsinyou。Tip。Havetoletfly。

Wonderhowisshefeelinginthatregion。Shameallputonbeforethirdperson。Moreputoutaboutaholeinherstocking。Molly，herunderjawstuckoutheadback，aboutthefarmerintheridingbootsandspursatthehorseshow。AndwhenthepainterswereinLombardstreetwest。Finevoicethatfellowhad。HowGiuglinibegan。SmellthatIdid，likeflowers。Itwastoo。Violets。Camefromtheturpentineprobablyinthepaint。Maketheirownuseofeverything。Sametimedoingitscrapedherslipperonthefloorsotheywouldn’thear。Butlotsofthemcan’tkickthebeam，Ithink。Keepthatthingupforhours。Kindofageneralallroundovermeandhalfdownmyback。

Wait。Hm。Hm。Yes。That’sherperfume。Whyshewavedherhand。IleaveyouthistothinkofmewhenI’mfarawayonthepillow。Whatisit？Heliotrope？No，Hyacinth？Hm。Roses，Ithink。She’dlikescentofthatkind。Sweetandcheap:soonsour。WhyMollylikesopoponax。Suitsherwithalittlejessaminemixed。Herhighnotesandherlownotes。Atthedancenightshemethim，danceofthehours。Heatbroughtitout。Shewaswearingherblackandithadtheperfumeofthetimebefore。Goodconductor，isit？Orbad？Lighttoo。Supposethere’ssomeconnection。Forinstanceifyougointoacellarwhereit’sdark。Mysteriousthingtoo。WhydidIsmellitonlynow？Tookitstimeincominglikeherself，slowbutsure。Supposeit’seversomanymillionsoftinygrainsblownacross。Yes，itis。Becausethosespiceislands，Cinghalesethismorning，smellthemleaguesoff。Tellyouwhatitis。It’slikeafineveilorwebtheyhaveallovertheskin，finelikewhatdoyoucallitgossamerandthey’reawaysspinningitoutofthem，fineasanything，rainbowcolourswithoutknowingit。Clingstoeverythingshetakesoff。Vampofherstockings。Warmshoe。Stays。Drawers:littlekick，takingthemoff。Bybytillnexttime。Alsothecatlikestosniffinhershiftonthebed。Knowhersmellinathousand。Bathwatertoo。Remindsmeofstrawberriesandcream。Wonderwhereitisreally。Thereorthearmpitsorundertheneck。Becauseyougetitoutofallholesandcorners。Hyacinthperfumemadeofoiloretherorsomething。Muskrat。Bagundertheirtailsonegrainpouroffodourforyears。Dogsateachotherbehind。Goodevening。Evening。Howdoyousniff？Hm。Hm。Verywell，thankyou。Animalsgobythat。Yesnow，lookatitthatway。We’rethesame。Somewomenforinstancewarnyouoffwhentheyhavetheirperiod。Comenear。Thengetahogoyoucouldhangyourhaton。Likewhat？Pottedherringsgonestaleor。Boof！Pleasekeepoffthegrass。

Perhapstheygetamansmelloffus。Whatthough？CigaryglovesLongJohnhadonhisdesktheother。Breath？Whatyoueatanddrinkgivesthat。No。Mansmell，Imean。Mustbeconnectedwiththatbecauseprieststhataresupposedtobearedifferent。Womenbuzzrounditlikefliesroundtreacle。Railedoffthealtargetontoitatanycost。Thetreeofforbiddenpriest。Ofather，willyou？Letmebethefirstto。Thatdiffusesitselfallthroughthebody，permeates。Sourceoflifeandit’sextremelycuriousthesmell。Celerysauce。Letme。

MrBloominsertedhisnose。Hm。Intothe。Hm。Openingofhiswaistcoat。Almondsor。No。Lemonsitis。Ah，no，that’sthesoap。

Obythebythatlotion。Iknewtherewassomethingonmymind。Neverwentbackandthesoapnotpaid。Dislikecarryingbottleslikethathagthismorning。Hynesmighthavepaidmethatthreeshillings。IcouldmentionMeagher’sjusttoremindhim。Stillifheworksthatparagraph。Twoandnine。Badopinionofmehe’llhave。Calltomorrow。HowmuchdoIoweyou？Threeandnine？Twoandnine，sir。Ah。Mightstophimgivingcreditanothertime。Loseyourcustomersthatway。Pubsdo。Fellowrunupabillontheslateandthenslinkingaroundthebackstreetsintosomewhereelse。

Here’sthisnoblemanpassedbefore。Blowninfromthebay。Justwentasfarasturnback。Alwaysathomeatdinnertime。Looksmangledout:hadagoodtuckin。Enjoyingnaturenow。Graceaftermeals。Aftersupperwalkamile。Surehehasasmallbankbalancesomewhere，governmentsit。Walkafterhimnowmakehimawkwardlikethosenewsboysmetoday。Stillyoulearnsomething。Seeourselvesasothersseeus。Solongaswomendon’tmockwhatmatter？That’sthewaytofindout。Askyourselfwhoishenow。TheMysteryManontheBeach，prizetitbitstorybyMrLeopoldBloom。Paymentattherateofoneguineapercolumn。Andthatfellowtodayatthegravesideinthebrownmacintosh。Cornsonhiskismethowever。Healthyperhapsabsorballthe。Whistlebringsraintheysay。Mustbesomesomewhere。SaltintheOrmonddamp。Thebodyfeelstheatmosphere。OldBetty’sjointsareontherack。MotherShipton’sprophecythatisaboutshipsaroundtheyflyinthetwinkling。No。Signsofrainitis。Theroyalreader。Anddistanthillsseemcomingnigh。

Howth。Baileylight。Two，four，six，eight，nine。See。Hastochangeortheymightthinkitahouse。Wreckers。GraceDarling。Peopleafraidofthedark。Alsoglowworms，cyclists:lightinguptime。Jewelsdiamondsflashbetter。Lightisakindofreassuring。Notgoingtohurtyou。Betternowofcoursethanlongago。Countryroads。Runyouthroughthesmallgutsfornothing。Stilltwotypesthereareyoubobagainst。Scowlorsmile。Pardon！Notatall。Besttimetosprayplantstoointheshadeafterthesun。Somelightstill。Redraysarelongest。RoygbivVancetaughtus:red，orange，yellow，green，blue，indigo，violet。AstarIsee。Venus？Can’ttellyet。Two，whenthreeit’snight。Werethosenightcloudsthereallthetime？Lookslikeaphantomship。No。Wait。Treesarethey。Anopticalillusion。Mirage。Landofthesettingsunthis。Homerulesunsettinginthesoutheast。Mynativeland，goodnight。

Dewfalling。Badforyou，dear，tositonthatstone。Bringsonwhitefluxions。Neverhavelittlebabythenlesshewasbigstrongfighthiswayupthrough。Mightgetpilesmyself。Stickstoolikeasummercold，soreonthemouth。Cutwithgrassorpaperworst。Frictionoftheposition。Liketobethatrockshesaton。Osweetlittle，youdon’tknowhowniceyoulooked。Ibegintolikethematthatage。Greenapples。Grabatallthatoffer。Supposeit’stheonlytimewecrosslegs，seated。Alsothelibrarytoday:thosegirlgraduates。Happychairsunderthem。Butit’stheeveninginfluence。Theyfeelallthat。Openlikeflowers，knowtheirhours，sunflowers，Jerusalemartichokes，inballrooms，chandeliers，avenuesunderthelamps。NightstockinMatDillon’sgardenwhereIkissedhershoulder。WishIhadafulllengthoil-paintingofherthen。JunethatwastooIwooed。Theyearreturns。Historyrepeatsitself。YecragsandpeaksI’mwithyouonceagain。Life，love，voyageroundyourownlittleworld。Andnow？Sadaboutherlameofcoursebutmustbeonyourguardnottofeeltoomuchpity。Theytakeadvantage。

AllquietonHowthnow。Thedistanthillsseem。Wherewe。Therhododendrons。Iamafoolperhaps。HegetstheplumsandItheplumstones。WhereIcomein。Allthatoldhillhasseen。Nameschange:that’sall。Lovers:yumyum。

TiredIfeelnow。WillIgetup？Owait。Drainedallthemanhoodoutofme，littlewretch。Shekissedme。Myyouth。Neveragain。Onlyonceitcomes。Orhers。Takethetraintheretomorrow。No。Returningnotthesame。Likekidsyoursecondvisittoahouse。ThenewIwant。Nothingnewunderthesun。CareofP。O。Dolphin’sbarn。Areyounothappyinyour？Naughtydarling。AtDolphin’sbarncharadesinLukeDoyle’shouse。MatDillonandhisbevyofdaughters:Tiny，Atty，Floey，Maimy，Louy，Hetty。Mollytoo。Eightyseventhatwas。

Yearbeforewe。Andtheoldmajorpartialtohisdropofspirits。Curioussheanonlychild，Ianonlychild。Soitreturns。Thinkyou’reescapingandrunintoyourself。Longestwayroundistheshortestwayhome。Andjustwhenheandshe。Circushorsewalkinginaring。RipvanWinkleweplayed。Rip:tearinHennyDoyle’sovercoat。Van:breadvandelivering。Winkle:cocklesandperiwinkles。ThenIdidRipvanWinklecomingback。Sheleanedonthesideboardwatching。Moorisheyes。TwentyyearsasleepinSleepyHollow。Allchanged。Forgotten。Theyoungareold。Hisgunrustyfromthedew。

Ba。Whatisthatflyingabout？Swallow？Batprobably。ThinksI’matree，soblind。Havebirdsnosmell？Metempsychosis。Theybelievedyoucouldbechangedintoatreefromgrief。Weepingwillow。Ba。Therehegoes。Funnylittlebeggar。Wonderwherehelives。Belfryupthere。Verylikely。Hangingbyhisheelsintheodourofsanctity。Bellscaredhimout，Isuppose。Massseemstobeover。Couldhearthemallatit。Prayforus。Andprayforus。Andprayforus。Goodideatherepetition。Samethingwithads。Buyfromus。Andbuyfromus。Yes，there’sthelightinthepriest’shouse。Theirfrugalmeal。RememberaboutthemistakeinthevaluationwhenIwasinThom’s。Twentyeightitis。Twohousestheyhave。GabrielConroy’sbrotheriscurate。Ba。Again。Wonderwhytheycomeoutatnightlikemice。They’reamixedbreed。Birdsarelikehoppingmice。Whatfrightensthem，lightornoise？Bettersitstill。Allinstinctlikethebirdindrouthgotwateroutoftheendofajarbythrowinginpebbles。Likealittlemaninacloakheiswithtinyhands。Weenybones。Almostseethemshimmering，kindofablueywhite。Coloursdependonthelightyousee。Starethesunforexampleliketheeaglethenlookatashoeseeablotchblobyellowish。Wantstostamphistrademarkoneverything。Instance，thatcatthismorningonthestaircase。Colourofbrownturf。Sayyouneverseethemwiththreecolours。Nottrue。Thathalftabbywhitetortoise-shellintheCityAnnswiththeletteremonherforehead。Bodyfiftydifferentcolours。Howthawhileagoamethyst。Glassflashing。That’showthatwisemanwhat’shisnamewiththeburningglass。Thentheheathergoesonfire。Itcan’tbetourists’matches。What？Perhapsthesticksdryrubtogetherinthewindandlight。Orbrokenbottlesinthefurzeactasaburningglassinthesun。Archimedes。Ihaveit！Mymemory’snotsobad。

Ba。Whoknowswhatthey’realwaysflyingfor。Insects？Thatbeelastweekgotintotheroomplayingwithhisshadowontheceiling。Mightbetheonebitme，comebacktosee。Birdstooneverfindoutwhattheysay。Likeoursmalltalk。Andsayssheandsayshe。Nerve？theyhavetoflyovertheoceanandback。Lotmustbekilledinstorms，telegraphwires。Dreadfullifesailorshavetoo。Bigbrutesofocean-goingsteamersflounderingalonginthedark，lowingoutlikeseacows。Faughaballagh。Outofthat，bloodycursetoyou。Othersinvessels，bitofahandkerchiefsail，pitchedaboutlikesnuffatawakewhenthestormywindsdoblow。Marriedtoo。Sometimesawayforyearsattheendsoftheearthsomewhere。Noendsreallybecauseit’sround。Wifeineveryporttheysay。ShehasagoodjobifshemindsittillJohnnycomesmarchinghomeagain。Ifeverhedoes。Smellingthetailendofports。Howcantheylikethesea？Yettheydo。Theanchor’sweighed。Offhesailswithascapularoramedalonhimforluck。Well？Andthetephilimnowhat’sthistheycallitpoorpapa’sfatherhadonhisdoortotouch。ThatbroughtusoutofthelandofEgyptandintothehouseofbondage。Somethinginallthosesuperstitionsbecausewhenyougooutneverknowwhatdangers。Hangingontoaplankorastrideofabeamforgrimlife，life-beltroundroundhim，gulpingsaltwater，andthat’sthelastofhisnibstillthesharkscatchholdofhim。Dofishevergetseasick？

Thenyouhaveabeautifulcalmwithoutacloud，smoothsea，placid，crewandcargoinsmithereens，DavyJones’locker。Moonlookingdown。Notmyfault，oldcockalorum。

AlostlongcandlewandereduptheskyfromMirusbazaarinsearchoffundsforMercer’shospitalandbroke，drooping，andshedaclusterofvioletbutonewhitestars。Theyfloated，fell:theyfaded。Theshepherd’shour:thehourofholding:houroftryst。Fromhousetohouse，givinghiseverwelcomedoubleknock，wentthenineo’clockpostman，theglowworm’slampathisbeltgleaminghereandtherethroughthelaurelhedges。AndamongthefiveyoungtreesahoistedlintstocklitthelampatLeahy’sterrace。Byscreensoflightedwindows，byequalgardensashrillvoicewentcrying，wailing:EveningTelegraph，stoppressedition！ResultoftheGoldCuprace！andfromthedoorofDignam’shouseaboyranoutandcalled。Twitteringthebatflewhere，flewthere。Faroutoverthesandsthecomingsurfcrept，grey。Howthsettledforslumbertiredoflongdays，ofyumyumrhododendrons(hewasold)andfeltgladlythenightbreezelift，rufflehisfellofferns。Helaybutopenedaredeyeunsleeping，deepandslowlybreathing，slumberousbutawake。AndfaronKishbanktheanchoredlightshiptwinkled，winkedatMrBloom。

Lifethosechapsouttheremusthave，stuckinthesamespot。IrishLightsboard。Penancefortheirsins。Coastguardstoo。Rocketandbreechesbuoyandlifeboat。DaywewentoutforthepleasurecruiseintheErin’sKing，throwingthemthesackofoldpapers。Bearsinthezoo。Filthytrip。Drunkardsouttoshakeuptheirlivers。Pukingoverboardtofeedtheherrings。Nausea。Andthewomen，fearofGodintheirfaces。Milly，nosignoffunk。Herbluescarfloose，laughing。Don’tknowwhatdeathisatthatage。Andthentheirstomachsclean。Butbeinglosttheyfear。WhenwehidbehindthetreeatCrumlin。Ididn’twantto。Mamma！Mamma！Babesinthewood。Frighteningthemwithmaskstoo。Throwingthemupintheairtocatchthem。I’llmurderyou。Isitonlyhalffun？Orchildrenplayingbattle。Wholeearnest。Howcanpeopleaimgunsateachother？Sometimestheygooff。Poorkids。Onlytroubleswildfireandnettlerash。CalomelpurgeIgotherforthat。AftergettingbetterasleepwithMolly。Verysameteethshehas。Whatdotheylove？Anotherthemselves？Butthemorningshechasedherwiththeumbrella。Perhapssoasnottohurt。Ifeltherpulse。Ticking。Littlehanditwas:nowbig。DearestPapli。Allthatthehandsayswhenyoutouch。Lovedtocountmywaistcoatbuttons。HerfirststaysIremember。Mademelaughtosee。Littlepapstobeginwith。Leftoneismoresensitive，Ithink。Minetoo。Nearertheheart。Paddingthemselvesoutiffatisinfashion。Hergrowingpainsatnight，calling，wakeningme。Frightenedshewaswhenhernaturecameonherfirst。Poorchild！Strangemomentforthemothertoo。Bringsbackhergirlhood。Gibraltar。LookingfromBuenaVista。O’Hara’stower。Theseabirdsscreaming。OldBarbaryapethatgobbledallhisfamily。Sundown，gunfireforthementocrossthelines。Lookingoutovertheseashetoldme。Eveninglikethis，butclear，noclouds。IalwaysthoughtI’dmarryalordoragentlemanwithaprivateyacht。Buenosnoches，se？orita。Elhombreamalamuchachahermosa。Whyme？Becauseyouweresoforeignfromtheothers。

Betternotstickhereallnightlikealimpet。Thisweathermakesyoudull。Mustbegettingonforninebythelight。Gohome。ToolateforLeoh，LilyofKillarney。No。Mightbestillup。Calltothehospitaltosee。Hopeshe’sover。LongdayI’vehad。Martha，thebath，funeral，houseofkeys，museumwiththosegoddesses，Dedalus’song。ThenthatbawlerinBarneyKiernan’s。Gotmyownbackthere。Drunkenranters。WhatIsaidabouthisGodmadehimwince。Mistaketohitback。Or？No。Oughttogohomeandlaughatthemselves。Alwayswanttobeswillingincompany。Afraidtobealonelikeachildoftwo。Supposehehitme。Lookatitotherwayround。Notsobadthen。Perhapsnottohurthemeant。ThreecheersforIsrael。Threecheersforthesister-in-lawhehawkedabout，threefangsinhermouth。Samestyleofbeauty。Particularlyniceoldpartyforacupoftea。ThesisterofthewifeofthewildmanofBorneohasjustcometotown。Imaginethatintheearlymorningatcloserange。EveryonetohistasteasMorrissaidwhenhekissedthecow。ButDignam’sputthebootsonit。Housesofmourningsodepressingbecauseyouneverknow。Anyhowshewantsthemoney。MustcalltothoseScottishwidowsasIpromised。Strangename。Takesitforgrantedwe’regoingtopopofffirst。ThatwidowonMondaywasitoutsideCramer’sthatlookedatme。Buriedthepoorhusbandbutprogressingfavourablyonthepremium。Herwidow’smite。Well？Whatdoyouexpecthertodo？Mustwheedleherwayalong。WidowerIhatetosee。Lookssoforlorn。PoormanO’Connorwifeandfivechildrenpoisonedbymusselshere。Thesewage。Hopeless。Somegoodmatronlywomaninapork-piehattomotherhim。Takehimintow，platterfaceandalargeapron。Ladies’greyflannelettebloomers，threeshillingsapair，astonishingbargain。Plainandloved，lovedforever，theysay。Ugly:nowomanthinkssheis。Love，lieandbehandsomefortomorrowwedie。Seehimsometimeswalkingabouttryingtofindoutwhoplayedthetrick。U。p。:up。Fatethatis。He，notme。Alsoashopoftennoticed。Curseseemstodogit。Dreamtlastnight？Wait。Somethingconfused。Shehadredslipperson。Turkish。Worethebreeches。Supposeshedoes。WouldIlikeherinpyjamas？Damnedhardtoanswer。Nannetti’sgone。Mailboat。NearHolyheadbynow。MustnailthatadofKeyes’s。WorkHynesandCrawford。PetticoatsforMolly。Shehassomethingtoputinthem。What’sthat？Mightbemoney。

MrBloomstoopedandturnedoverapieceofpaperonthestrand。Hebroughtitnearhiseyesandpeered。Letter？No。Can’tread。Bettergo。Better。I’mtiredtomove。Pageofanoldcopybook。Allthoseholesandpebbles。Whocouldcountthem？Neverknowwhatyoufind。Bottlewithstoryofatreasureinitthrownfromawreck。Parcelspost。Childrenalwayswanttothrowthingsinthesea。Trust？Breadcastonthewaters。What’sthis？Bitofstick。

O！Exhaustedthatfemalehasme。Notsoyoungnow。Willshecomeheretomorrow？Waitforhersomewhereforever。Mustcomeback。Murderersdo。WillI？

MrBloomwithhisstickgentlyvexedthethicksandathisfoot。Writeamessageforher。Mightremain。What？

I。

Someflatfoottramponitinthemorning。Useless。Washedaway。Tidecomeshereapoolnearherfoot。Bend，seemyfacethere，darkmirror，breatheonit，stirs。Alltheserockswithlinesandscarsandletters。O，thosetransparent！Besidestheydon’tknow。Whatisthemeaningofthatotherworld。IcalledyounaughtyboybecauseIdonotlike。

AM。A。

Noroom。Letitgo。

MrBloomeffacedtheletterswithhisslowboot。Hopelessthingsand。Nothinggrowsinit。Allfades。Nofearofbigvesselscominguphere。ExceptGuinness’sbarges。RoundtheKishineightydays。Donehalfbydesign。

Heflunghiswoodenpenaway。Thestickfellinsiltedsand，stuck。Nowifyouweretryingtodothatforaweekonendyoucouldn’t。Chance。We’llnevermeetagain。Butitwaslovely。Goodbye，dear。Thanks。Mademefeelsoyoung。

ShortsnoozenowifIhad。Mustbenearnine。Liverpoolboatlonggone。Noteventhesmoke。Andshecandotheother。Didtoo。AndBelfast。Iwon’tgo。Racethere，racebacktoEnnis。Lethim。Justclosemyeyesamoment。Won’tsleepthough。Halfdream。Itnevercomesthesame。Batagain。Noharminhim。Justafew。

OsweetyallyourlittlegirlwhiteupIsawdirtybracegirdlemademedolovestickywetwonaughtyGracedarlingshehimhalfpastthebedmethimpikehosesfrilliesforRaoultoperfumeyourwifeblackhairheaveunderembonse？oritayoungeyesMulveyplumpyearsdreamsreturntailendAgendathswoonyloveyshowedmehernextyearindrawersreturnnextinhernexthernext。

Abatflew。Here。There。Here。Farinthegreyabellchimed。MrBloomwithopenmouth，hisleftbootsandedsideways，leaned，breathed。Justforafew。

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Theclockonthemantelpieceinthepriest’shousecooedwhereCanonO’HanlonandFatherConroyandthereverendJohnHughesS。J。weretakingteaandsodabreadandbutterandfriedmuttonchopswithcatsupandtalkingabout

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

BecauseitwasalittlecanarybirdbirdthatcameoutofitslittlehousetotellthetimethatGertyMacDowellnoticedthetimeshewastherebecauseshewasasquickasanythingaboutathinglikethat，wasGertyMacDowell，andshenoticedatoncethatthatforeigngentlemanthatwassittingontherockslookingwas

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

Cuckoo

OxenoftheSun

DESHILHOLLESEAMUS。DESHILHOLLESEAMUS。DESHILHOLESEamus。

Sendus，brightone，lightone，Horhorn，quickeningandwombfruit。Sendus，brightone，lightone，Horhorn，quickeningandwombfruit。Sendusbrightone，lightone，Horhorn，quickeningandwombfruit。

Hoopsa，boyaboy，hoopsa！Hoopsa，hoyaboy，hoopsa！Hoopsa，boyaboy，hoopsa。

Universallythatperson’sacumenisesteemedverylittleperceptiveconcerningwhatsoevermattersarebeingheldasmostprofitablebymortalswithsapienceendowedtobestudiedwhoisignorantofthatwhichthemostindoctrineeruditeandcertainlybyreasonofthatinthemhighmind’sornamentdeservingofvenerationconstantlymaintainwhenbygeneralconsenttheyaffirmthatothercircumstancesbeingequalbynoexteriorsplendouristheprosperityofanationmoreefficaciouslyassertedthanbythemeasureofhowfarforwardmayhaveprogressedthetributeofitssolicitudeforthatproliferentcontinuancewhichofevilstheoriginalifitbeabsentwhenfortunatelypresentconstitutesthecertainsignofomnipollentnature’sincorruptedbenefaction。Forwhoistherewhoanythingofsomesignificancehasapprehendedbutisconsciousthatthatexteriorsplendourmaybethesurfaceofadownwardtendinglutulentrealityoronthecontraryanyonesoisthereinilluminatedasnottoperceivethatasnonature’sbooncancontendagainstthebountyofincreasesoitbehoveseverymostjustcitizentobecometheexhortatorandadmonisherofhissemblablesandtotremblelestwhathadinthepastbeenbythenationexcellentlycommencedmightbeinthefuturenotwithsimilarexcellenceaccomplishedifaninverecundhabitshallhavegraduallytraducedthehonourablebyancestorstransmittedcustomstothatthitherofprofunditythatthatonewasaudaciousexcessivelywhowouldhavethehardihoodtoriseaffirmingthatnomoreodiousoffencecanforanyonebethantoobliviousneglecttoconsignthatevangelsimultaneouslycommandandpromisewhichonallmortalswithprophecyofabundanceorwithdiminution’smenacethatexaltedofreiteratedlyprocreatingfunctioneverirrevocablyenjoined？

Itisnotwhythereforeweshallwonderif，asthebesthistoriansrelate，amongtheCelts，whonothingthatwasnotinitsnatureadmirableadmired，theartofmedicineshallhavebeenhighlyhonoured。Nottospeakofhostels，leperyards，sweatingchambers，plaguegraves，theirgreatestdoctors，theO’Shiels，theO’Hickeys，theO’Lees，havesedulouslysetdownthediversmethodsbywhichthesickandtherelapsedfoundagainhealthwhetherthemaladyhadbeentremblingwitheringorlooseboyconnellflux。Certainlyineverypublicworkwhichinitanythingofgravitycontainspreparationshouldbewithimportancecommensurateandthereforeaplanwasbythemadopted(whetherbyhavingpreconsideredorasthematurationofexperienceitisdifficultinbeingsaidwhichthediscrepantopinionsofsubsequentinquirersarenotuptothepresentcongruedtorendermanifest)wherebymaternitywassofarfromallaccidentpossibilityremovedthatwhatevercarethepatientinthatallhardestofwomanhourchieflyrequiredandnotsolelyforthecopiouslyopulentbutalsoforherwhonotbeingsufficientlymoneyedscarcelyandoftennotevenscarcelycouldsubsistvaliantlyandforaninconsiderableemolumentwasprovided。

Tohernothingalreadythenandthenceforwardwasanywayabletobemolestfulforthischieflyfeltallcitizensexceptwithproliferentmothersprosperityatallnottocanbeandastheyhadreceivedeternitygodsmortalsgenerationtobefitthemherbeholding，whenthecasewassohavingitself，parturientinvehicletherewardcarryingdesireimmenseamongalloneanotherwasimpellingonofhertobereceivedintothatdomicile。Othingofprudentnationnotmerelyinbeingseenbutalsoeveninbeingrelatedworthyofbeingpraisedthattheyherbyanticipationwentseeingmother，thatshebythemsuddenlytobeabouttobecherishedhadbeenbegunshefelt！

Beforebornbabeblisshad。Withinwombwonheworship。Whateverinthatonecasedonecommodiouslydonewas。Acouchbymidwivesattendedwithwholesomefoodreposefulcleanestswaddlesasthoughforthbringingwerenowdoneandbywiseforesightset:buttothisnolessofwhatdrugsthereisneedandsurgicalimplementswhicharepertainingtohercasenotomittingaspectofallverydistractingspectaclesinvariouslatitudesbyourterrestrialorbofferedtogetherwithimages，divineandhuman，thecogitationofwhichbysejunctfemalesistotumescenceconduciveoreasesissueinthehighsunbrightwellbuiltfairhomeofmotherswhen，ostensiblyfargoneandreproductitive，itiscomebyhertheretotoliein，hertermup。

Somemanthatwayfaringwasstoodbyhousedooratnight’soncoming。OfIsrael’sfolkwasthatmanthatonearthwanderingfarhadfared。Starkruthofmanhiserrandthathimloneledtillthathouse。

OfthathouseA。Horneislord。SeventybedskeepshethereteemingmothersarewontthattheyliefortotholeandbringforthbairnshalesoGod’sangeltoMaryquoth。Watcherstheytherewalk，whitesistersinwardsleepless。Smartstheystillsicknesssoothing:intwelvemoonsthriceanhundred。Truestbedthanestheytwainare，forHorneholdingwariestward。

Inwardwarythewatcherhearingcomethatmanmild-heartedeftrisingwithswireywimpledtohimhergatewideundid。Lo，levinleapinglightensineyeblinkIreland’swestwardwelkin！FullshedreadthatGodtheWreakerallmankindwouldfordowithwaterforhisevilsins。Christ’sroodmadesheonbreastboneandhimdrewthathewouldratheinfareunderherthatch。ThatmanherwillwottingworthfulwentinHorne’shouse。

LothtoirkinHorne’shallhatholdingtheseekerstood。Onherstowheerewaslivingwithdearwifeandlovesomedaughterthatthenoverlandandseafloornineyearhadlongoutwandered。Onceherintownhithemeetinghetoherbowhadnotdoffed。Hertoforgivenowhecravedwithgoodgroundofherallowedthatthatofhimswiftseenface，hers，soyoungthenhadlooked。Lightswifthereyeskindled，bloomofblusheshiswordwinning。

Ashereyesthenongothisweedsswartthereforsorrowshefeared。Gladaftershewasthatereadreadwas。HerheaskedifO’HareDoctortidingssentfromfarcoastandshewithgramefulsighhimansweredthatO’HareDoctorinheavenwas。Sadwasthemanthatwordtohearthathimsoheaviedinbowelsruthful。Allshetheretoldhim，ruingdeathforfriendsoyoung，algatesoreunwillingGod’srightwisenesstowithsay。ShesaidthathehadafairsweetdeaththroughGodHisgoodnesswithmasspriesttobeshriven，holyhouselandsickmen’soiltohislimbs。ThemanthenrightearnestaskedthenunofwhichdeaththedeadmanwasdiedandthenunansweredhimandsaidthathewasdiedinMonaislandthroughbellycrabthreeyearagonecomeChildermasandsheprayedtoGodtheAllruthfultohavehisdearsoulinhisundeathliness。Heheardhersadwords，inheldhatsadstaring。Sostoodtheytherebothawhileinwanhope，sorrowingonewithother。

Therefore，everyman，looktothatlastendthatisthydeathandthedustthatgripethoneverymanthatisbornofwomanforashecamenakedforthfromhismother’swombsonakedshallhewendhimatthelastfortogoashecame。

Themanthatwascomeintothehousethenspoketothenursingwomanandheaskedherhowitfaredwiththewomanthatlaythereinchildbed。Thenursingwomanansweredhimandsaidthatthatwomanwasinthroesnowfullthreedaysandthatitwouldbeahardbirthunnethtobearbutthatnowinalittleitwouldbe。Shesaidtheretothatshehadseenmanybirthsofwomenbutneverwasnonesohardaswasthatwoman’sbirth。Thenshesetitforthalltohimthattimewashadlivednighthathouse。Themanhearkenedtoherwordsforhefeltwithwonderwomen’swoeinthetravailthattheyhaveofmotherhoodandhewonderedtolookonherfacethatwasayoungfaceforanymantoseebutyetwassheleftafterlongyearsahandmaid。Ninetwelvebloodflowschidingherchildless。

Andwhilestheyspakethedoorofthecastlewasopenedandtherenighedthemamicklenoiseasofmanythatsatthereatmeat。AndtherecameagainsttheplaceastheystoodayounglearningknightycleptDixon。AndthetravellerLeopoldwascouthtohimsithenithadhappedthattheyhadhadadoeachwithotherinthehouseofmisericordwherethislearningknightlaybycausethetravellerLeopoldcametheretobehealedforhewassorewoundedinhisbreastbyaspearwherewithahorribleanddreadfuldragonwassmittenhimforwhichhediddomakeasalveofvolatilesaltandchrismasmuchashemightsuffice。Andhesaidnowthatheshouldgointothatcastlefortomakemerrywiththemthatwerethere。AndthetravellerLeopoldsaidthatheshouldgootherwhitherforhewasamanofcautelsandasubtle。Alsotheladywasofhisavisandreprovedthelearningknightthoughshetrowedwellthatthetravellerhadsaidthingthatwasfalseforhissubtility。Butthelearningknightwouldnothearsaynaynordohermandementnehavehiminaughtcontrarioustohislistandhesaidhowitwasamarvellouscastle。AndthetravellerLeopoldwentintothecastlefortoresthimforaspacebeingsoreoflimbaftermanymarchesenvironingindiverslandsandsometimesvenery。

AndinthecastlewassetaboardthatwasofthebirchwoodofFinlandyanditwasupheldbyfourdwarfmenofthatcountrybuttheydurstnotmoveforenchantment。Andonthisboardwerefrightfulswordsandknivesthataremadeinagreatcavernbyswinkingdemonsoutofwhiteflamesthattheyfixinthehornsofbuffalosandstagsthatthereaboundmarvellously。AndtherewerevesselsthatarewroughtbymagicofMahoundoutofseasandandtheairbyawarlockwithhisbreaththatheblaresintothemliketobubbles。Andfullfaircheerandrichwasontheboardthatnowightcoulddeviseafullernericher。Andtherewasavatofsilverthatwasmovedbycrafttoopeninthewhichlaystrangefisheswithoutenheadsthoughmisbelievingmenniethatthisbepossiblethingwithouttheyseeitnathelesstheyareso。AndthesefisheslieinanoilywaterbroughttherefromPortugallandbecauseofthefatnessthatthereinisliketothejuicesoftheolivepress。AndalsoitwasmarveltoseeinthatcastlehowbymagictheymakeacompostoutoffecundwheatkidneysoutofChaldeethatbyaidofcertainangryspiritsthattheydointoitswellsupwondrouslyliketoavastmountain。Andtheyteachtheserpentstheretoentwinethemselvesuponlongsticksoutofthegroundandofthescalesoftheseserpentstheybrewoutabrewageliketomead。

AndthelearningknightletpourforchildeLeopoldadraughtandhalptheretothewhilealltheythatweretheredrankeveryeach。AndchildeLeopolddiduphisbeaverfortopleasurehimandtookapertlysomewhatinamityforheneverdranknomannerofmeadwhichhethenputbyandanonfullprivilyhevoidedthemorepartinhisneighbourglassandhisneighbourwistnotofhiswile。Andhesatdowninthatcastlewiththemfortoresthimthereawhile。ThankedbeAlmightyGod。

ThismeanwhilethisgoodsisterstoodbythedoorandbeggedthematthereverenceofJesuouraltherliegelordtoleavetheirwassailingfortherewasaboveonequickwithchildagentledame，whosetimehiedfast。SirLeopoldheardontheupfloorcryonhighandhewonderedwhatcrythatitwaswhetherofchildorwomanandImarvel，saidhe，thatitbenotcomeornow。Meseemsitdurethoverlong。AndhewaswareandsawafranklinthathightLenehanonthatsidethetablethatwasolderthananyofthetotherandforthattheybothwereknightsvirtuousintheoneempriseandekebycausethathewaselderhespoketohimfullgently。But，saidhe，oritbelongtooshewillbringforthbyGodHisbountyandhavejoyofherchildingforshehathwaitedmarvellouslong。Andthefranklinthathaddrunkensaid，Expectingeachmomenttobehernext。Alsohetookthecupthatstoodtoforehimforhimneedednevernoneaskingnordesiringofhimtodrinkand，Nowdrink，saidhe，fullydelectably，andhequaffedasfarashemighttotheirboth’shealthforhewasapassinggoodmanofhislustiness。AndsirLeopoldthatwasthegoodliestguestthateversatinscholars’hallandthatwasthemeekestmanandthekindestthateverlaidhusbandlyhandunderhenandthatwastheverytruestknightoftheworldonethateverdidminionservicetoladygentlepledgedhimcourtlyinthecup。Woman’swoewithwonderpondering。

Nowletusspeakofthatfellowshipthatwastheretotheintenttobedrunkenantheymight。Therewasasortofscholarsalongeithersidetheboard，thatistowit，DixonycleptjuniorofsaintMaryMerciable’swithotherhisfellowsLynchandMadden，scholarsofmedicine，andthefranklinthathigh！LenehanandonefromAlbaLonga，oneCrotthers，andyoungStephenthathadmienofafrerethatwasatheadoftheboardandCostellothatmenclepenPunchCostelloalllongofamasteryofhimerewhilegested(andofallthem，reservedyoungStephen，hewasthemostdrunkenthatdemandedstillofmoremead)andbesidethemeeksirLeopold。ButonyoungMalachitheywaitedforthathepromisedtohavecomeandsuchasintendedtonogoodnesssaidhowhehadbrokehisavow。AndsirLeopoldsatwiththemforheborefastfriendshiptosirSimonandtothishissonyoungStephenandforthathislanguorbecalmedhimthereafterlongestwanderingsinsomuchastheyfeastedhimforthattimeinthehonourablestmanner。Ruthredhim，loveledonwithwilltowander，lothtoleave。

Fortheywererightwittyscholars。Andheheardtheiraresounseachgenotherastouchingbirthandrighteousness，youngMaddenmaintainingthatputsuchcaseitwerehardthewifetodie(forsoithadfallenoutamatterofsomeyearagonewithawomanofEblanainHorne’shousethatnowwastrespassedoutofthisworldandtheselfnightnextbeforeherdeathallleechesandpothecarieshadtakencounselofhercase)。AndtheysaidfarthersheshouldlivebecauseinthebeginningtheysaidthewomanshouldbringforthinpainandwhereforetheythatwereofthisimaginationaffirmedhowyoungMaddenhadsaidtruthforhehadconsciencetoletherdie。AndnotfewandofthesewasyoungLynchwereindoubtthattheworldwasnowrightevilgovernedasitwasneverotherhowbeitthemeanpeoplebelieveditotherwisebutthelawnorhisjudgesdidprovidenoremedy。AredressGodgrant。Thiswasscantsaidbutallcriedwithoneacclaimnay，byourVirginMother，thewifeshouldliveandthebabetodie。IncolourwhereoftheywaxedhotuponthatheadwhatwithargumentandwhatfortheirdrinkingbutthefranklinLenehanwasprompteachwhentopourthemalesothatattheleastwaymirthmightnotlack。ThenyoungMaddenshowedallthewholeaffairandwhenhesaidhowthatshewasdeadandhowforholyreligionsakebyredeofpalmerandbedesmanandforavowhehadmadetoSaintUltanofArbraccanhergoodmanhusbandwouldnotletherdeathwherebytheywereallwondrousgrieved。TowhomyoungStephenhadthesewordsfollowing，Murmur，sirs，isekeoftamonglayfolk。BothbabeandparentnowglorifytheirMaker，theoneinlimbogloom，theotherinpurgefire。But，gramercy，whatofthoseGodpossibledsoulsthatwenightlyunpossibilise，whichisthesinagainsttheHolyGhost，VeryGod，LordandGiverofLife？For，sirs，hesaid，ourlustisbrief。Wearemeanstothosesmallcreatureswithinusandnaturehasotherendsthanwe。ThensaidDixonjuniortoPunchCostellowisthewhatends。Buthehadovermuchdrunkenandthebestwordhecouldhaveofhimwasthathewouldeverdishonestawomanwhososhewereorwifeormaidorlemanifitsofortunedhimtobedeliveredofhisspleenoflustihead。WhereatCrotthersofAlbaLongasangyoungMalachi’spraiseofthatbeasttheunicornhowonceinthemillenniumhecomethbyhishorntheotherallthiswhileprickedforwardwiththeirjibeswherewiththeydidmalicehim，witnessingallandseveralbysaintFoutinushisenginesthathewasabletodoanymannerofthingthatlayinmantodo。ThereatlaughedtheyallrightjocundlyonlyyoungStephenandsirLeopoldwhichneverdurstlaughtooopenbyreasonofastrangehumourwhichhewouldnotbewrayandalsofordthatheruedforherthatbarewhososhemightbeorwheresoever。ThenspokeyoungStephenorgulousofmotherChurchthatwouldcasthimoutofherbosom，oflawofcanons，ofLilith，patronofabortions，ofbignesswroughtbywindofseedsofbrightnessorbypotencyofvampiresmouthtomouthor，asVirgiliussaith，bytheinfluenceoftheoccidentorbythereekofmoonfloweroransheliewithawomanwhichhermanhasbutlainwitheffectusecuto，orperadventureinherbathaccordingtotheopinionsofAverroesandMosesMaimonides。HesaidalsohowattheendofthesecondmonthahumansoulwasinfusedandhowinallourholymotherfoldetheversoulsforGod’sgreaterglorywhereasthatearthlymotherwhichwasbutadamtobringforthbeastlyshoulddiebycanonforsosaithhethatholdeththefisherman’sseal，eventhatblessedPeteronwhichrockwasholychurchforallagesfounded。AlltheybachelorsthenaskedofsirLeopoldwouldheinlikecasesojeopardherpersonasrisklifetosavelife。Awarinessofmindhewouldanswerasfittedalland，layinghandtojaw，hesaiddissembling，ashiswontwas，thatasitwasinformedhim，whohadeverlovedtheartofphysicasmightalayman，andagreeingalsowithhisexperienceofsoseldomseenanaccidentitwasgoodforthatMotherChurchbelikeatoneblowhadbirthanddeathpenceandinsuchsortdeliverlyhescapedtheirquestions。Thatistruth，pardy，saidDixon，and，orIerr，apregnantword。WhichhearingyoungStephenwasamarvellousgladmanandheaverredthathewhostealethfromthepoorlendethtotheLordforhewasofawildmannerwhenhewasdrunkenandthathewasnowinthattakingitappearedeftsoons。

ButsirLeopoldwaspassinggravemaugrehiswordbycausehestillhadpityoftheterrorcausingshriekingofshrillwomenintheirlabourandashewasmindedofhisgoodladyMarionthathadbornehimanonlymanchildwhichonhiseleventhdayonlivehaddiedandnomanofartcouldsavesodarkisdestiny。Andshewaswondrousstrickenofheartforthatevilhapandforhisburialdidhimonafaircorseletoflamb’swool，thefloweroftheflock，lesthemightperishutterlyandlieakeled(foritwasthenaboutthemidstofthewinter)andnowsirLeopoldthathadofhisbodynomanchildforanheirlookeduponhimhisfriend’ssonandwasshutupinsorrowforhisforepassedhappinessandassadashewasthathimfailedasonofsuchgentlecourage(forallaccountedhimofrealparts)sogrievedhealsoinnolessmeasureforyoungStephenforthathelivedriotouslywiththosewastrelsandmurderedhisgoodswithwhores。