Thefellowsathistablestoodup。Hestoodupandpassedoutamongtheminthefile。Hehadtodecide。Hewascomingnearthedoor。Ifhewentonwiththefellowshecouldnevergouptotherectorbecausehecouldnotleavetheplaygroundforthat。AndifhewentandwaspandiedallthesameallthefellowswouldmakefunandtalkaboutyoungDedalusgoinguptotherectortotellontheprefectofstudies。
Hewaswalkingdownalongthemattingandhesawthedoorbeforehim。
Itwasimpossible:hecouldnot。Hethoughtofthebaldyheadoftheprefectofstudieswiththecruelno-colouredeyeslookingathimandheheardthevoiceoftheprefectofstudiesaskinghimtwicewhathisnamewas。
Whycouldhenotrememberthenamewhenhewastoldthefirsttime？Washenotlisteningthefirsttimeorwasittomakefunoutofthename？
Thegreatmeninthehistoryhadnameslikethatandnobodymadefunofthem。Itwashisownnamethatheshouldhavemadefunofifhewantedtomakefun。Dolan:itwaslikethenameofawomanwhowashedclothes。
Hehadreachedthedoorand，turningquicklyuptotheright，walkedupthestairsand，beforehecouldmakeuphismindtocomeback，hehadenteredthelowdarknarrowcorridorthatledtothecastle。Andashecrossedthethresholdofthedoorofthecorridorhesaw，withoutturninghisheadtolook，thatallthefellowswerelookingafterhimastheywentfilingby。
Hepassedalongthenarrowdarkcorridor，passinglittledoorsthatwerethedoorsoftheroomsofthecommunity。Hepeeredinfrontofhimandrightandleftthroughthegloomandthoughtthatthosemustbeportraits。
Itwasdarkandsilentandhiseyeswereweakandtiredwithtearssothathecouldnotsee。Buthethoughttheyweretheportraitsofthesaintsandgreatmenoftheorderwhowerelookingdownonhimsilentlyashepassed:saintIgnatiusLoyolaholdinganopenbookandpointingtothewordsAdMajoremDeiGloriaminit；saintFrancisXavierpointingtohischest；LorenzoRicciwithhisberrettaonhisheadlikeoneoftheprefectsofthelines，thethreepatronsofholyyouth-saintStanislausKostka，saintAloysiusGonzago，andBlessedJohnBerchmans，allwithyoungfacesbecausetheydiedwhentheywereyoung，andFatherPeterKennysittinginachairwrappedinabigcloak。
Hecameoutonthelandingabovetheentrancehallandlookedabouthim。ThatwaswhereHamiltonRowanhadpassedandthemarksofthesoldiers'
slugswerethere。Anditwastherethattheoldservantshadseentheghostinthewhitecloakofamarshal。
Anoldservantwassweepingattheendofthelanding。Heaskedhimwherewastherector'sroomandtheoldservantpointedtothedooratthefarendandlookedafterhimashewentontoitandknocked。
Therewasnoanswer。Heknockedagainmoreloudlyandhisheartjumpedwhenheheardamuffledvoicesay:——
Comein!
Heturnedthehandleandopenedthedoorandfumbledforthehandleofthegreenbaizedoorinside。Hefounditandpusheditopenandwentin。
Hesawtherectorsittingatadeskwriting。Therewasaskullonthedeskandastrangesolemnsmellintheroomliketheoldleatherofchairs。
Hisheartwasbeatingfastonaccountofthesolemnplacehewasinandthesilenceoftheroom:andhelookedattheskullandattherector'skind-lookingface——
Well，mylittleman，saidtherector，whatisit？
Stephenswalloweddownthethinginhisthroatandsaid:——
Ibrokemyglasses，sir。
Therectoropenedhismouthandsaid:——
O!
Thenhesmiledandsaid:——
Well，ifwebrokeourglasseswemustwritehomeforanewpair——
Iwrotehome，sir，saidStephen，andFatherArnallsaidIamnottostudytilltheycome——
Quiteright!saidtherector。
Stephenswalloweddownthethingagainandtriedtokeephislegsandhisvoicefromshaking——
But，sir——
Yes？——
FatherDolancameintodayandpandiedmebecauseIwasnotwritingmytheme。
Therectorlookedathiminsilenceandhecouldfeelthebloodrisingtohisfaceandthetearsabouttorisetohiseyes。
Therectorsaid:——
YournameisDedalus，isn'tit？——
Yes，sir——Andwheredidyoubreakyourglasses？——
Onthecinder-path，sir。AfellowwascomingoutofthebicyclehouseandIfellandtheygotbroken。Idon'tknowthefellow'sname。
Therectorlookedathimagaininsilence。Thenhesmiledandsaid:——
O，well，itwasamistake；IamsureFatherDolandidnotknow——
ButItoldhimIbrokethem，sir，andhepandiedme——
Didyoutellhimthatyouhadwrittenhomeforanewpair？therectorasked——
No，sir——
Owellthen，saidtherector，FatherDolandidnotunderstand。YoucansaythatIexcuseyoufromyourlessonsforafewdays。
Stephensaidquicklyforfearhistremblingwouldpreventhim:——
Yes，sir，butFatherDolansaidhewillcomeintomorrowtopandymeagainforit——
Verywell，therectorsaid，itisamistakeandIshallspeaktoFatherDolanmyself。Willthatdonow？
Stephenfeltthetearswettinghiseyesandmurmured:——
Oyessir，thanks。
TherectorheldhishandacrossthesideofthedeskwheretheskullwasandStephen，placinghishandinitforamoment，feltacoolmoistpalm——
Gooddaynow，saidtherector，withdrawinghishandandbowing——
Goodday，sir，saidStephen。
Hebowedandwalkedquietlyoutoftheroom，closingthedoorscarefullyandslowly。
Butwhenhehadpassedtheoldservantonthelandingandwasagaininthelownarrowdarkcorridorhebegantowalkfasterandfaster。Fasterandfasterhehurriedonthroughthegloomexcitedly。Hebumpedhiselbowagainstthedoorattheendand，hurryingdownthestaircase，walkedquicklythroughthetwocorridorsandoutintotheair。
Hecouldhearthecriesofthefellowsontheplaygrounds。Hebrokeintoarunand，runningquickerandquicker，ranacrossthecinderpathandreachedthethirdlineplayground，panting。
Thefellowshadseenhimrunning。Theyclosedroundhiminaring，pushingoneagainstanothertohear——
Tellus!Tellus!——
Whatdidhesay？——
Didyougoin？
Whatdidhesay？——
Tellus!Tellus!
Hetoldthemwhathehadsaidandwhattherectorhadsaidand，whenhehadtoldthem，allthefellowsflungtheircapsspinningupintotheairandcried:——
Hurroo!
Theycaughttheircapsandsentthemupagainspinningsky-highandcriedagain:——
Hurroo!Hurroo!
Theymadeacradleoftheirlockedhandsandhoistedhimupamongthemandcarriedhimalongtillhestruggledtogetfree。Andwhenhehadescapedfromthemtheybrokeawayinalldirections，flingingtheircapsagainintotheairandwhistlingastheywentspinningupandcrying:——
Hurroo!
AndtheygavethreegroansforBaldyheadDolanandthreecheersforConmeeandtheysaidhewasthedecentestrectorthatwaseverinClongowes。
Thecheersdiedawayinthesoftgreyair。Hewasalone。Hewashappyandfree；buthewouldnotbeanywayproudwithFatherDolan。Hewouldbeveryquietandobedient:andhewishedthathecoulddosomethingkindforhimtoshowhimthathewasnotproud。
Theairwassoftandgreyandmildandeveningwascoming。Therewasthesmellofeveningintheair，thesmellofthefieldsinthecountrywheretheydiggedupturnipstopeelthemandeatthemwhentheywentoutforawalktoMajorBarton's，thesmelltherewasinthelittlewoodbeyondthepavilionwherethegallnutswere。
Thefellowswerepractisinglongshiesandbowlinglobsandslowtwisters。
Inthesoftgreysilencehecouldhearthebumpoftheballs:andfromhereandfromtherethroughthequietairthesoundofthecricketbats:
pick，pack，pock，puck:likedropsofwaterinafountainfallingsoftlyinthebrimmingbowl。
Chapter2UncleCharlessmokedsuchblacktwistthatatlasthisnephewsuggestedtohimtoenjoyhismorningsmokeinalittleouthouseattheendofthegarden——
Verygood，Simon。Allserene，Simon，saidtheoldmantranquilly。
Anywhereyoulike。Theouthousewilldomenicely:itwillbemoresalubrious——
Damnme，saidMrDedalusfrankly，ifIknowhowyoucansmokesuchvillainousawfultobacco。It'slikegunpowder，byGod——
It'sverynice，Simon，repliedtheoldman。Verycoolandmollifying。
Everymorning，therefore，uncleCharlesrepairedtohisouthousebutnotbeforehehadgreasedandbrushedscrupulouslyhisbackhairandbrushedandputonhistallhat。Whilehesmokedthebrimofhistallhatandthebowlofhispipewerejustvisiblebeyondthejambsoftheouthousedoor。
Hisarbour，ashecalledthereekingouthousewhichhesharedwiththecatandthegardentools，servedhimalsoasasounding-box:andeverymorninghehummedcontentedlyoneofhisfavouritesongs:O，twinemeabowerorBlueEyesandGoldenHairorTheGrovesofBlarneywhilethegreyandbluecoilsofsmokeroseslowlyfromhispipeandvanishedinthepureair。
DuringthefirstpartofthesummerinBlackrockuncleCharleswasStephen'sconstantcompanion。UncleCharleswasahaleoldmanwithawelltannedskin，ruggedfeaturesandwhitesidewhiskers。OnweekdayshedidmessagesbetweenthehouseinCarysfortAvenueandthoseshopsinthemainstreetofthetownwithwhichthefamilydealt。StephenwasgladtogowithhimontheseerrandsforuncleCharleshelpedhimveryliberallytohandfulsofwhateverwasexposedinopenboxesandbarrelsoutsidethecounter。
HewouldseizeahandfulofgrapesandsawdustorthreeorfourAmericanapplesandthrustthemgenerouslyintohisgrandnephew'shandwhiletheshopmansmileduneasily；and，onStephen'sfeigningreluctancetotakethem，hewouldfrownandsay:——
Takethem，sir。Doyouhearme，sir？They'regoodforyourbowels。
WhentheorderlisthadbeenbookedthetwowouldgoontotheparkwhereanoldfriendofStephen'sfather，MikeFlynn，wouldbefoundseatedonabench，waitingforthem。ThenwouldbeginStephen'srunroundthepark。MikeFlynnwouldstandatthegateneartherailwaystation，watchinhand，whileStephenranroundthetrackinthestyleMikeFlynnfavoured，hisheadhighlifted，hiskneeswellliftedandhishandsheldstraightdownbyhissides。Whenthemorningpracticewasoverthetrainerwouldmakehiscommentsandsometimesillustratethembyshufflingalongforayardorsocomicallyinanoldpairofbluecanvasshoes。AsmallringofwonderstruckchildrenandnursemaidswouldgathertowatchhimandlingerevenwhenheanduncleCharleshadsatdownagainandweretalkingathleticsandpolitics。ThoughhehadheardhisfathersaythatMikeFlynnhadputsomeofthebestrunnersofmoderntimesthroughhishandsStephenoftenglancedathistrainer'sflabbystubble-coveredface，asitbentoverthelongstainedfingersthroughwhichherolledhiscigarette，andwithpityatthemildlustrelessblueeyeswhichwouldlookupsuddenlyfromthetaskandgazevaguelyintothebluedistancewhilethelongswollenfingersceasedtheirrollingandgrainsandfibresoftobaccofellbackintothepouch。
OnthewayhomeuncleCharleswouldoftenpayavisittothechapeland，asthefontwasaboveStephen'sreach，theoldmanwoulddiphishandandthensprinklethewaterbrisklyaboutStephen'sclothesandontheflooroftheporch。Whileheprayedhekneltonhisredhandkerchiefandreadabovehisbreathfromathumbblackenedprayerbookwhereincatchwordswereprintedatthefootofeverypage。Stephenkneltathissiderespecting，thoughhedidnotshare，hispiety。Heoftenwonderedwhathisgrand-uncleprayedforsoseriously。PerhapsheprayedforthesoulsinpurgatoryorforthegraceofahappydeathorperhapsheprayedthatGodmightsendhimbackapartofthebigfortunehehadsquanderedinCork。
OnSundaysStephenwithhisfatherandhisgrand-uncletooktheirconstitutional。
Theoldmanwasanimblewalkerinspiteofhiscornsandoftentenortwelvemilesoftheroadwerecovered。ThelittlevillageofStillorganwasthepartingoftheways。EithertheywenttothelefttowardstheDublinmountainsoralongtheGoatstownroadandthenceintoDundrum，cominghomebySandyford。Trudgingalongtheroadorstandinginsomegrimywaysidepublichousehiseldersspokeconstantlyofthesubjectsnearertheirhearts，ofIrishpolitics，ofMunsterandofthelegendsoftheirownfamily，toallofwhichStephenlentanavidear。Wordswhichhedidnotunderstandhesaidoverandovertohimselftillhehadlearntthembyheart:andthroughthemhehadglimpsesoftherealworldaboutthem。Thehourwhenhetoowouldtakepartinthelifeofthatworldseemeddrawingnearandinsecrethebegantomakereadyforthegreatpartwhichhefeltawaitedhimthenatureofwhichheonlydimlyapprehended。
Hiseveningswerehisown；andheporedoveraraggedtranslationofTheCountofMonteCristo。Thefigureofthatdarkavengerstoodforthinhismindforwhateverhehadheardordivinedinchildhoodofthestrangeandterrible。Atnighthebuiltupontheparlourtableanimageofthewonderfulislandcaveoutoftransfersandpaperflowersandcolouredtissuepaperandstripsofthesilverandgoldenpaperinwhichchocolateiswrapped。Whenhehadbrokenupthisscenery，wearyofitstinsel，therewouldcometohismindthebrightpictureofMarseille，ofsunnytrellises，andofMercedes。
OutsideBlackrock，ontheroadthatledtothemountains，stoodasmallwhitewashedhouseinthegardenofwhichgrewmanyrosebushes:andinthishouse，hetoldhimself，anotherMercedeslived。Bothontheoutwardandonthehomewardjourneyhemeasureddistancebythislandmark:andinhisimaginationhelivedthroughalongtrainofadventures，marvellousasthoseinthebookitself，towardsthecloseofwhichthereappearedanimageofhimself，grownolderandsadder，standinginamoonlitgardenwithMercedeswhohadsomanyyearsbeforeslightedhislove，andwithasadlyproudgestureofrefusal，saying:——
Madam，Inevereatmuscatelgrapes。
HebecametheallyofaboynamedAubreyMillsandfoundedwithhimagangofadventurersintheavenue。Aubreycarriedawhistledanglingfromhisbuttonholeandabicyclelampattachedtohisbeltwhiletheothershadshortsticksthrustdaggerwisethroughtheirs。Stephen，whohadreadofNapoleon'splainstyleofdress，chosetoremainunadornedandtherebyheightenedforhimselfthepleasureoftakingcounselwithhislieutenantbeforegivingorders。Thegangmadeforaysintothegardensofoldmaidsorwentdowntothecastleandfoughtabattleontheshaggyweed-grownrocks，cominghomeafteritwearystragglerswiththestaleodoursoftheforeshoreintheirnostrilsandtherankoilsoftheseawrackupontheirhandsandintheirhair。
AubreyandStephenhadacommonmilkmanandoftentheydroveoutinthemilk-cartoCarrickmineswherethecowswereatgrass。Whilethemenweremilkingtheboyswouldtaketurnsinridingthetractablemareroundthefield。Butwhenautumncamethecowsweredrivenhomefromthegrass:
andthefirstsightofthefilthycowyardatStradbrookwithitsfoulgreenpuddlesandclotsofliquiddungandsteamingbrantroughs，sickenedStephen'sheart。Thecattlewhichhadseemedsobeautifulinthecountryonsunnydaysrevoltedhimandhecouldnotevenlookatthemilktheyyielded。
ThecomingofSeptemberdidnottroublehimthisyearforhewasnottobesentbacktoClongowes。ThepracticeintheparkcametoanendwhenMikeFlynnwentintohospital。Aubreywasatschoolandhadonlyanhourortwofreeintheevening。Thegangfellasunderandtherewerenomorenightlyforaysorbattlesontherocks。Stephensometimeswentroundwiththecarwhichdeliveredtheeveningmilkandthesechillydrivesblewawayhismemoryofthefilthofthecowyardandhefeltnorepugnanceatseeingthecowhairsandhayseedsonthemilkman'scoat。Wheneverthecardrewupbeforeahousehewaitedtocatchaglimpseofawellscrubbedkitchenorofasoftlylightedhallandtoseehowtheservantwouldholdthejugandhowshewouldclosethedoor。Hethoughtitshouldbeapleasantlifeenough，drivingalongtheroadseveryeveningtodelivermilk，ifhehadwarmglovesandafatbagofgingernutsinhispockettoeatfrom。Butthesameforeknowledgewhichhadsickenedhisheartandmadehislegssagsuddenlyasheracedroundthepark，thesameintuitionwhichhadmadehimglancewithmistrustathistrainer'sflabbystubble-coveredfaceasitbentheavilyoverhislongstainedfingers，dissipatedanyvisionofthefuture。InavaguewayheunderstoodthathisfatherwasintroubleandthatthiswasthereasonwhyhehimselfhadnotbeensentbacktoClongowes。
Forsometimehehadfelttheslightchangeinhishouse；andthosechangesinwhathehaddeemedunchangeableweresomanyslightshockstohisboyishconceptionoftheworld。Theambitionwhichhefeltastirattimesinthedarknessofhissoulsoughtnooutlet。Adusklikethatoftheouterworldobscuredhismindasheheardthemare'shoofsclatteringalongthetramtrackontheRockRoadandthegreatcanswayingandrattlingbehindhim。
HereturnedtoMercedesand，ashebroodeduponherimage，astrangeunrestcreptintohisblood。Sometimesafevergatheredwithinhimandledhimtorovealoneintheeveningalongthequietavenue。Thepeaceofthegardensandthekindlylightsinthewindowspouredatenderinfluenceintohisrestlessheart。Thenoiseofchildrenatplayannoyedhimandtheirsillyvoicesmadehimfeel，evenmorekeenlythanhehadfeltatClongowes，thathewasdifferentfromothers。Hedidnotwanttoplay。
Hewantedtomeetintherealworldtheunsubstantialimagewhichhissoulsoconstantlybeheld。Hedidnotknowwheretoseekitorhow，butapremonitionwhichledhimontoldhimthatthisimagewould，withoutanyovertactofhis，encounterhim。Theywouldmeetquietlyasiftheyhadknowneachotherandhadmadetheirtryst，perhapsatoneofthegatesorinsomemoresecretplace。Theywouldbealone，surroundedbydarknessandsilence:
andinthatmomentofsupremetendernesshewouldbetransfigured。
Hewouldfadeintosomethingimpalpableunderhereyesandtheninamomenthewouldbetransfigured。Weaknessandtimidityandinexperiencewouldfallfromhiminthatmagicmoment。
Twogreatyellowcaravanshadhaltedonemorningbeforethedoorandmenhadcometrampingintothehousetodismantleit。Thefurniturehadbeenhustledoutthroughthefrontgardenwhichwasstrewnwithwispsofstrawandropeendsandintothehugevansatthegate。Whenallhadbeensafelystowedthevanshadsetoffnoisilydowntheavenue:andfromthewindowoftherailwaycarriage，inwhichhehadsatwithhisred-eyedmother，StephenhadseenthemlumberingalongtheMerrionRoad。
TheparlourfirewouldnotdrawthateveningandMrDedalusrestedthepokeragainstthebarsofthegratetoattracttheflame。UncleCharlesdozedinacornerofthehalffurnisheduncarpetedroomandnearhimthefamilyportraitsleanedagainstthewall。Thelamponthetableshedaweaklightovertheboardedfloor，muddiedbythefeetofthevan-men。
Stephensatonafootstoolbesidehisfatherlisteningtoalongandincoherentmonologue。Heunderstoodlittleornothingofitatfirstbuthebecameslowlyawarethathisfatherhadenemiesandthatsomefightwasgoingtotakeplace。Hefelt，too，thathewasbeingenlistedforthefight，thatsomedutywasbeinglaiduponhisshoulders。ThesuddenflightfromthecomfortandreveryofBlackrock，thepassagethroughthegloomyfoggycity，thethoughtofthebarecheerlesshouseinwhichtheywerenowtolivemadehisheartheavy，andagainanintuition，aforeknowledgeofthefuturecametohim。Heunderstoodalsowhytheservantshadoftenwhisperedtogetherinthehallandwhyhisfatherhadoftenstoodonthehearthrugwithhisbacktothefire，talkingloudlytouncleCharleswhourgedhimtositdownandeathisdinner——
There'sacrackofthewhipleftinmeyet，Stephen，oldchap，saidMrDedalus，pokingatthedullfirewithfierceenergy。We'renotdeadyet，sonny。No，bytheLordJesusGodforgivemenothalfdead。
Dublinwasanewandcomplexsensation。UncleCharleshadgrownsowitlessthathecouldnolongerbesentoutonerrandsandthedisorderinsettlinginthenewhouseleftStephenfreerthanhehadbeeninBlackrock。Inthebeginninghecontentedhimselfwithcirclingtimidlyroundtheneighbouringsquareor，atmost，goinghalfwaydownoneofthesidestreetsbutwhenhehadmadeaskeletonmapofthecityinhismindhefollowedboldlyoneofitscentrallinesuntilhereachedthecustomhouse。Hepassedunchallengedamongthedocksandalongthequayswonderingatthemultitudeofcorksthatlaybobbingonthesurfaceofthewaterinathickyellowscum，atthecrowdsofquayportersandtherumblingcartsandtheill-dressedbeardedpoliceman。ThevastnessandstrangenessofthelifesuggestedtohimbythebalesofmerchandisestockedalongthewallsorswungaloftoutoftheholdsofsteamerswakenedagaininhimtheunrestwhichhadsenthimwanderingintheeveningfromgardentogardeninsearchofMercedes。AndamidthisnewbustlinglifehemighthavefanciedhimselfinanotherMarseillebutthathemissedthebrightskyandthesum-warmedtrellisesofthewineshops。
Avaguedissatisfactiongrewupwithinhimashelookedonthequaysandontheriverandontheloweringskiesandyethecontinuedtowanderupanddowndayafterdayasifhereallysoughtsomeonethateludedhim。
Hewentonceortwicewithhismothertovisittheirrelatives:andthoughtheypassedajovialarrayofshopslitupandadornedforChristmashismoodofembitteredsilencedidnotleavehim。Thecausesofhisembittermentweremany，remoteandnear。Hewasangrywithhimselfforbeingyoungandthepreyofrestlessfoolishimpulses，angryalsowiththechangeoffortunewhichwasreshapingtheworldabouthimintoavisionofsqualorandinsincerity。
Yethisangerlentnothingtothevision。Hechronicledwithpatiencewhathesaw，detachinghimselffromitandtastingitsmortifyingflavourinsecret。
Hewassittingonthebacklesschairinhisaunt'skitchen。Alampwithareflectorhungonthejapannedwallofthefireplaceandbyitslighthisauntwasreadingtheeveningpaperthatlayonherknees。Shelookedalongtimeatasmilingpicturethatwassetinitandsaidmusingly:——
ThebeautifulMabelHunter!
Aringlettedgirlstoodontiptoetopeeratthepictureandsaidsoftly:——
Whatisshein，mud？——
Inapantomime，love。
Thechildleanedherringlettedheadagainsthermother'ssleeve，gazingonthepicture，andmurmuredasiffascinated:——
ThebeautifulMabelHunter!
Asiffascinated，hereyesrestedlonguponthosedemurelytauntingeyesandshemurmureddevotedly:——
Isn'tsheanexquisitecreature？
Andtheboywhocameinfromthestreet，stampingcrookedlyunderhisstoneofcoal，heardherwords。Hedroppedhisloadpromptlyonthefloorandhurriedtohersidetosee。Hemauledtheedgesofthepaperwithhisreddenedandblackenedhands，shoulderingherasideandcomplainingthathecouldnotsee。
Hewassittinginthenarrowbreakfastroomhighupintheolddark-windowedhouse。Thefirelightflickeredonthewallandbeyondthewindowaspectralduskwasgatheringupontheriver。Beforethefireanoldwomanwasbusymakingteaand，asshebustledatthetask，shetoldinalowvoiceofwhatthepriestandthedoctorhadsaid。Shetoldtooofcertainchangestheyhadseeninheroflateandofheroddwaysandsayings。Hesatlisteningtothewordsandfollowingthewaysofadventurethatlayopeninthecoals，archesandvaultsandwindinggalleriesandjaggedcaverns。
Suddenlyhebecameawareofsomethinginthedoorway。Askullappearedsuspendedinthegloomofthedoorway。Afeeblecreaturelikeamonkeywasthere，drawnthitherbythesoundofvoicesatthefire。Awhiningvoicecamefromthedoorasking:——
IsthatJosephine？
Theoldbustlingwomanansweredcheerilyfromthefireplace:——
No，Ellen，it'sStephen——
OO，goodevening，Stephen。
Heansweredthegreetingandsawasillysmilebreakoverthefaceinthedoorway——
Doyouwantanything，Ellen？askedtheoldwomanatthefire。
Butshedidnotanswerthequestionandsaid:——
IthoughtitwasJosephine。IthoughtyouwereJosephine，Stephen。
And，repeatingthisseveraltimes，shefelltolaughingfeebly。
Hewassittinginthemidstofachildren'spartyatHarold'sCross。
Hissilentwatchfulmannerhadgrownuponhimandhetooklittlepartinthegames。Thechildren，wearingthespoilsoftheircrackers，dancedandrompednoisilyand，thoughhetriedtosharetheirmerriment，hefelthimselfagloomyfigureamidthegaycockedhatsandsunbonnets。
Butwhenhehadsunghissongandwithdrawnintoasnugcorneroftheroomhebegantotastethejoyofhisloneliness。Themirth，whichinthebeginningoftheeveninghadseemedtohimfalseandtrivial，waslikeasoothingairtohim，passinggailybyhissenses，hidingfromothereyesthefeverishagitationofhisbloodwhilethroughthecirclingofthedancersandamidthemusicandlaughterherglancetravelledtohiscorner，flattering，taunting，searching，excitinghisheart。
Inthehallthechildrenwhohadstayedlatestwereputtingontheirthings:thepartywasover。Shehadthrownashawlaboutherand，astheywenttogethertowardsthetram，spraysofherfreshwarmbreathflewgailyabovehercowledheadandhershoestappedblithelyontheglassyroad。
Itwasthelasttram。Thelankbrownhorsesknewitandshooktheirbellstotheclearnightinadmonition。Theconductortalkedwiththedriver，bothnoddingofteninthegreenlightofthelamp。Ontheemptyseatsofthetramwerescatteredafewcolouredtickets。Nosoundoffootstepscameupordowntheroad。Nosoundbrokethepeaceofthenightsavewhenthelankbrownhorsesrubbedtheirnosestogetherandshooktheirbells。
Theyseemedtolisten，heontheupperstepandsheonthelower。Shecameuptohisstepmanytimesandwentdowntohersagainbetweentheirphrasesandonceortwicestoodclosebesidehimforsomemomentsontheupperstep，forgettingtogodown，andthenwentdown。Hisheartdanceduponhermovementslikeacorkuponatide。Heheardwhathereyessaidtohimfrombeneaththeircowlandknewthatinsomedimpast，whetherinlifeorrevery，hehadheardtheirtalebefore。Hesawherurgehervanities，herfinedressandsashandlongblackstockings，andknewthathehadyieldedtothemathousandtimes。Yetavoicewithinhimspokeabovethenoiseofhisdancingheart，askinghimwouldhetakehergifttowhichhehadonlytostretchouthishand。AndherememberedthedaywhenheandEileenhadstoodlookingintothehotelgrounds，watchingthewaitersrunningupatrailofbuntingontheflagstaffandthefoxterrierscamperingtoandfroonthesunnylawnandhow，allofasudden，shehadbrokenoutintoapealoflaughterandhadrundowntheslopingcurveofthepath。
Now，asthen，hestoodlistlesslyinhisplace，seeminglyatranquilwatcherofthescenebeforehim——
Shetoowantsmetocatchholdofher，hethought。That'swhyshecamewithmetothetram。IcouldeasilycatchholdOfherwhenshecomesuptomystep:nobodyislooking。Icouldholdherandkissher。
Buthedidneither:and，whenhewassittingaloneinthedesertedtram，hetorehisticketintoshredsandstaredgloomilyatthecorrugatedfootboard。
Thenextdayhesatathistableinthebareupperroomformanyhours。
Beforehimlayanewpen，anewbottleofinkandanewemeraldexercise。
Fromforceofhabithehadwrittenatthetopofthefirstpagetheinitiallettersofthejesuitmotto:A。M。D。G。Onthefirstlineofthepageappearedthetitleoftheverseshewastryingtowrite:ToE-C。HeknewitwasrighttobeginsoforhehadseensimilartitlesinthecollectedpoemsofLordByron。Whenhehadwrittenthistitleanddrawnanornamentallineunderneathhefellintoadaydreamandbegantodrawdiagramsonthecoverofthebook。HesawhimselfsittingathistableinBraythemorningafterthediscussionattheChristmasdinnertable，tryingtowriteapoemaboutParnellonthebackofoneofhisfather'ssecondmoietynotices。Buthisbrainhadthenrefusedtograpplewiththethemeand，desisting，hehadcoveredthepagewiththenamesandaddressesofcertainofhisclassmates:RoderickKickhamJohnLawtonAnthonyMacSwineySimonMoonanNowitseemedasifhewouldfailagainbut，bydintofbroodingontheincident，hethoughthimselfintoconfidence。Duringthisprocessallthoseelementswhichhedeemedcommonandinsignificantfelloutofthescene。
Thereremainednotraceofthetramitselfnorofthetram-mennorofthehorses:nordidheandsheappearvividly。Theversestoldonlyofthenightandthebalmybreezeandthemaidenlustreofthemoon。Someundefinedsorrowwashiddenintheheartsoftheprotagonistsastheystoodinsilencebeneaththeleaflesstreesandwhenthemomentoffarewellhadcomethekiss，whichhadbeenwithheldbyone，wasgivenbyboth。AfterthisthelettersL。D。S。werewrittenatthefootofthepage，and，havinghiddenthebook，hewentintohismother'sbedroomandgazedathisfaceforalongtimeinthemirrorofherdressing-table。
Buthislongspellofleisureandlibertywasdrawingtoitsend。Oneeveninghisfathercamehomefullofnewswhichkepthistonguebusyallthroughdinner。Stephenhadbeenawaitinghisfather'sreturnfortherehadbeenmuttonhashthatdayandheknewthathisfatherwouldmakehimdiphisbreadinthegravy。ButhedidnotrelishthehashforthementionofClongoweshadcoatedhispalatewithascumofdisgust——
Iwalkedbangintohim，saidMrDedalusforthefourthtime，justatthecornerofthesquare——
ThenIsuppose，saidMrsDedalus，hewillbeabletoarrangeit。
ImeanaboutBelvedere——
Ofcoursehewill，saidMrDedalus。Don'tItellyouhe'sprovincialoftheordernow？——
Ineverlikedtheideaofsendinghimtothechristianbrothersmyself，saidMrsDedalus——
Christianbrothersbedamned!saidMrDedalus。IsitwithPaddyStinkandMickyMud？No，lethimsticktothejesuitsinGod'snamesincehebeganwiththem。They'llbeofservicetohiminafteryears。Thosearethefellowsthatcangetyouaposition——
Andthey'reaveryrichorder，aren'tthey，Simon？——
Rather。Theylivewell，Itellyou。YousawtheirtableatClongowes。
Fedup，byGod，likegamecocks。
MrDedaluspushedhisplateovertoStephenandbadehimfinishwhatwasonit——
Nowthen，Stephen，hesaid，youmustputyourshouldertothewheel，oldchap。You'vehadafinelongholiday——
O，I'msurehe'llworkveryhardnow，saidMrsDedalus，especiallywhenhehasMauricewithhim——
O，HolyPaul，IforgotaboutMaurice，saidMrDedalus。Here，Maurice!
Comehere，youthick-headedruffian!DoyouknowI'mgoingtosendyoutoacollegewherethey'llteachyoutospellc。a。t。cat。AndI'llbuyyouanicelittlepennyhandkerchieftokeepyournosedry。Won'tthatbegrandfun？
Mauricegrinnedathisfatherandthenathisbrother。
MrDedalusscrewedhisglassintohiseyeandstaredhardatbothhissons。Stephenmumbledhisbreadwithoutansweringhisfather'sgaze——
Bythebye，saidMrDedalusatlength，therector，orprovincialrather，wastellingmethatstoryaboutyouandFatherDolan。You'reanimpudentthief，hesaid——
O，hedidn't，Simon!——
Nothe!saidMrDedalus。Buthegavemeagreataccountofthewholeaffair。Wewerechatting，youknow，andonewordborrowedanother。And，bytheway，whodoyouthinkhetoldmewillgetthatjobinthecorporation？
ButI`Iltellyouthatafter。Well，asIwassaying，wewerechattingawayquitefriendlyandheaskedmedidourfriendherewearglassesstill，andthenhetoldmethewholestory——
Andwasheannoyed，Simon？——
Annoyed？Nothe!Manlylittlechap!hesaid。
MrDedalusimitatedthemincingnasaltoneoftheprovincial。
FatherDolanandI，whenItoldthemallatdinneraboutit，FatherDolanandIhadagreatlaughoverit。YoubettermindyourselfFatherDolan，saidI，oryoungDedaluswillsendyouupfortwicenine。