MrDedalushadordereddrisheensforbreakfastandduringthemealhecross-examinedthewaiterforlocalnews。Forthemostparttheyspokeatcrosspurposeswhenanamewasmentioned，thewaiterhavinginmindthepresentholderandMrDedalushisfatherorperhapshisgrandfather——
Well，Ihopetheyhaven\'tmovedtheQueen\'sCollegeanyhow，saidMrDedalus，forIwanttoshowittothisyoungsterofmine。
AlongtheMardykethetreeswereinbloom。Theyenteredthegroundsofthecollegeandwereledbythegarrulousporteracrossthequadrangle。
Buttheirprogressacrossthegravelwasbroughttoahaltaftereverydozenorsopacesbysomereplyoftheporter\'s——
Ah，doyoutellmeso？AndispoorPottlebellydead？——
Yes，sir。Dead，sir。
DuringthesehaltsStephenstoodawkwardlybehindthetwomen，wearyofthesubjectandwaitingrestlesslyfortheslowmarchtobeginagain。
Bythetimetheyhadcrossedthequadranglehisrestlessnesshadrisentofever。Hewonderedhowhisfather，whomheknewforashrewdsuspiciousman，couldbedupedbytheservilemannersoftheporter；andthelivelysouthernspeechwhichhadentertainedhimallthemorningnowirritatedhisears。
TheypassedintotheanatomytheatrewhereMrDedalus，theporteraidinghim，searchedthedesksforhisinitials。Stephenremainedinthebackground，depressedmorethaneverbythedarknessandsilenceofthetheatreandbytheairitworeofjadedandformalstudy。OnthedeskhereadthewordFoetuscutseveraltimesinthedarkstainedwood。Thesuddenlegendstartledhisblood:heseemedtofeeltheabsentstudentsofthecollegeabouthimandtoshrinkfromtheircompany。Avisionoftheirlife，whichhisfather\'swordshadbeenpowerlesstoevoke，sprangupbeforehimoutofthewordcutinthedesk。Abroad-shoulderedstudentwithamoustachewascuttingintheletterswithajack-knife，seriously。Otherstudentsstoodorsatnearhimlaughingathishandiwork。Onejoggedhiselbow。
Thebigstudentturnedonhim，frowning。Hewasdressedinloosegreyclothesandhadtanboots。
Stephen\'snamewascalled。Hehurrieddownthestepsofthetheatresoastobeasfarawayfromthevisionashecouldbeand，peeringcloselyathisfather\'sinitials，hidhisflushedface。
Butthewordandthevisioncaperedbeforehiseyesashewalkedbackacrossthequadrangleandtowardsthecollegegate。Itshockedhimtofindintheouterworldatraceofwhathehaddeemedtillthenabrutishandindividualmaladyofhisownmind。Hismonstrousreveriescamethrongingintohismemory。Theytoohadsprungupbeforehim，suddenlyandfuriously，outofmerewords。Hehadsoongivenintothemandallowedthemtosweepacrossandabasehisintellect，wonderingalwayswheretheycamefrom，fromwhatdenofmonstrousimages，andalwaysweakandhumbletowardsothers，restlessandsickenedofhimselfwhentheyhadsweptoverhim——
Ay，bedad!Andthere\'stheGroceriessureenough!criedMrDedalus。
YouoftenheardmespeakoftheGroceries，didn\'tyou，Stephen。Many\'sthetimewewentdowntherewhenournameshadbeenmarked，acrowdofus，HarryPeardandlittleJackMountainandBobDyasandMauriceMoriarty，theFrenchman，andTomO\'GradyandMickLacythatItoldyouofthismorningandJoeyCorbetandpoorlittlegood-heartedJohnnyKeeversoftheTantiles。
TheleavesofthetreesalongtheMardykewereastirandwhisperinginthesunlight。Ateamofcricketerspassed，agileyoungmeninflannelsandblazers，oneofthemcarryingthelonggreenwicket-bag。InaquietbystreetaGermanbandoffiveplayersinfadeduniformsandwithbatteredbrassinstrumentswasplayingtoanaudienceofstreetarabsandleisurelymessengerboys。Amaidinawhitecapandapronwaswateringaboxofplantsonasillwhichshonelikeaslaboflimestoneinthewarmglare。Fromanotherwindowopentotheaircamethesoundofapiano，scaleafterscalerisingintothetreble。
Stephenwalkedonathisfather\'sside，listeningtostorieshehadheardbefore，hearingagainthenamesofthescatteredanddeadrevellerswhohadbeenthecompanionsofhisfather\'syouth。Andafaintsicknesssighedinhisheart。
HerecalledhisownequivocalpositioninBelvedere，afreeboy，aleaderafraidofhisownauthority，proudandsensitiveandsuspicious，battlingagainstthesqualorofhislifeandagainsttheriotofhismind。Theletterscutinthestainedwoodofthedeskstareduponhim，mockinghisbodilyweaknessandfutileenthusiasmsandmakinghimloathehimselfforhisownmadandfilthyorgies。Thespittleinhisthroatgrewbitterandfoultoswallowandthefaintsicknessclimbedtohisbrainsothatforamomentheclosedhiseyesandwalkedonindarkness。
Hecouldstillhearhisfather\'svoice——
Whenyoukickoutforyourself，Stephen-asIdaresayyouwilloneofthesedays-remember，whateveryoudo，tomixwithgentlemen。WhenIwasayoungfellowItellyouIenjoyedmyself。Imixedwithfinedecentfellows。Everyoneofuscouldlosomething。Onefellowhadagoodvoice，anotherfellowwasagoodactor，anothercouldsingagoodcomicsong，anotherwasagoodoarsmanoragoodracketplayer，anothercouldtellagoodstoryandsoon。Wekepttheballrollinganyhowandenjoyedourselvesandsawabitoflifeandwewerenonetheworseofiteither。Butwewereallgentlemen，Stephen-atleastIhopewewere-andbloodygoodhonestIrishmentoo。That\'sthekindoffellowsIwantyoutoassociatewith，fellowsoftherightkidney。I\'mtalkingtoyouasafriend，Stephen。I
don\'tbelieveasonshouldbeafraidofhisfather。No，ItreatyouasyourgrandfathertreatedmewhenIwasayoungchap。Weweremorelikebrothersthanfatherandson。I`Ilneverforgetthefirstdayhecaughtmesmoking。IwasstandingattheendoftheSouthTerraceonedaywithsomemaneenslikemyselfandsurewethoughtweweregrandfellowsbecausewehadpipesstuckinthecornersofourmouths。Suddenlythegovernorpassed。Hedidn\'tsayaword，orstopeven。Butthenextday，Sunday，wewereoutforawalktogetherandwhenwewerecominghomehetookouthiscigarcaseandsaid:-Bytheby，Simon，Ididn\'tknowyousmoked，orsomethinglikethat-OfcourseItriedtocarryitoffasbestIcould-Ifyouwantagoodsmoke，hesaid，tryoneofthesecigars。AnAmericancaptainmademeapresentofthemlastnightinQueenstown。
Stephenheardhisfather\'svoicebreakintoalaughwhichwasalmostasob——
HewasthehandsomestmaninCorkatthattime，byGodhewas!Thewomenusedtostandtolookafterhiminthestreet。
Heheardthesobpassingloudlydownhisfather\'sthroatandopenedhiseyeswithanervousimpulse。Thesunlightbreaking-suddenlyonhissightturnedtheskyandcloudsintoafantasticworldofsombremasseswithlakelikespacesofdarkrosylight。Hisverybrainwassickandpowerless。
Hecouldscarcelyinterpretthelettersofthesignboardsoftheshops。
Byhismonstrouswayoflifeheseemedtohaveputhimselfbeyondthelimitsofreality。Nothingmovedhimorspoketohimfromtherealworldunlessheheardinitanechooftheinfuriatedcrieswithinhim。Hecouldrespondtonoearthlyorhumanappeal，dumbandinsensibletothecallofsummerandgladnessandcompanionship，weariedanddejectedbyhisfather\'svoice。
Hecouldscarcelyrecognizeashisownthoughts，andrepeatedslowlytohimself:——
IamStephenDedalus。IamwalkingbesidemyfatherwhosenameisSimonDedalus。WeareinCork，inIreland。Corkisacity。OurroomisintheVictoriaHotel。VictoriaandStephenandSimon。SimonandStephenandVictoria。Names。
Thememoryofhischildhoodsuddenlygrewdim。Hetriedtocallforthsomeofitsvividmomentsbutcouldnot。Herecalledonlynames。Dante，Parnell，Clane，Clongowes。Alittleboyhadbeentaughtgeographybyanoldwomanwhokepttwobrushesinherwardrobe。Thenhehadbeensentawayfromhometoacollege，hehadmadehisfirstcommunionandeatenslimjimoutofhiscricketcapandwatchedthefirelightleapinganddancingonthewallofalittlebedroomintheinfirmaryanddreamedofbeingdead，ofmassbeingsaidforhimbytherectorinablackandgoldcope，ofbeingburiedtheninthelittlegraveyardofthecommunityoffthemainavenueoflimes。Buthehadnotdiedthen。Parnellhaddied。Therehadbeennomassforthedeadinthechapelandnoprocession。Hehadnotdiedbuthehadfadedoutlikeafilminthesun。Hehadbeenlostorhadwanderedoutofexistenceforhenolongerexisted。Howstrangetothinkofhimpassingoutofexistenceinsuchaway，notbydeathbutbyfadingoutinthesunorbybeinglostandforgottensomewhereintheuniverse!Itwasstrangetoseehissmallbodyappearagainforamoment:alittleboyinagreybeltedsuit。Hishandswereinhisside-pocketsandhistrousersweretuckedinatthekneesbyelasticbands。
OntheeveningofthedayonwhichthepropertywassoldStephenfollowedhisfathermeeklyaboutthecityfrombartobar。Tothesellersinthemarket，tothebarmenandbarmaids，tothebeggarswhoimportunedhimforalobMrDedalustoldthesametale-thathewasanoldCorkonian，thathehadbeentryingforthirtyyearstogetridofhisCorkaccentupinDublinandthatPeterPickackafaxbesidehimwashiseldestsonbutthathewasonlyaDublinjackeen。
TheyhadsetoutearlyinthemorningfromNewcombe\'scoffee-house，whereMrDedalus\'scuphadrattlednoisilyagainstitssaucer，andStephenhadtriedtocoverthatshamefulsignofhisfather\'sdrinkingboutofthenightbeforebymovinghischairandcoughing。Onehumiliationhadsucceededanother-thefalsesmilesofthemarketsellers，thecurvetingsandoglingsofthebarmaidswithwhomhisfatherflirted，thecomplimentsandencouragingwordsofhisfather\'sfriends。TheyhadtoldhimthathehadagreatlookofhisgrandfatherandMrDedalushadagreedthathewasanuglylikeness。TheyhadunearthedtracesofaCorkaccentinhisspeechandmadehimadmitthattheLeewasamuchfinerriverthantheLiffey。
Oneofthem，inordertoputhisLatintotheproof，hadmadehimtranslateshortpassagesfromDilectusandaskedhimwhetheritwascorrecttosay:TemporamutanturnosetmutamurinillisorTemporamutanturetnosmutamurinillis。Another，abriskoldman，whomMrDedaluscalledJohnnyCashman，hadcoveredhimwithconfusionbyaskinghimtosaywhichwereprettier，theDublingirlsortheCorkgirls——
He\'snotthatwaybuilt，saidMrDedalus。Leavehimalone。He\'salevel-headedthinkingboywhodoesn\'tbotherhisheadaboutthatkindofnonsense——
Thenhe\'snothisfather\'sson，saidthelittleoldman——
Idon\'tknow，I\'msure，saidMrDedalus，smilingcomplacently——
Yourfather，saidthelittleoldmantoStephen，wastheboldestflirtintheCityofCorkinhisday。Doyouknowthat？
Stephenlookeddownandstudiedthetiledfloorofthebarintowhichtheyhaddrifted——
Nowdon\'tbeputtingideasintohishead，saidMrDedalusLeavehimtohisMaker——
Yerra，sureIwouldn\'tputanyideasintohishead。I\'moldenoughtobehisgrandfather。AndIamagrandfather，saidthelittleoldmantoStephen。Doyouknowthat？——
Areyou？askedStephen——
BedadIam，saidthelittleoldman。IhavetwobouncinggrandchildrenoutatSunday\'sWell。Now，then!WhatagedoyouthinkIam？AndIrememberseeingyourgrandfatherinhisredcoatridingouttohounds。Thatwasbeforeyouwereborn——
Ay，orthoughtof，saidMrDedalus——
BedadIdid，repeatedthelittleoldman。And，morethanthat，I
canrememberevenyourgreat-grandfather，oldJohnStephenDedalus，andafierceoldfire-eaterhewas。Now，then!There\'samemoryforyou!——
That\'sthreegenerations-fourgenerations，saidanotherofthecompany。Why，JohnnyCashman，youmustbenearingthecentury——
Well，I\'lltellyouthetruth，saidthelittleoldman。I\'mjusttwenty-sevenyearsofage——
We\'reasoldaswefeel，Johnny，saidMrDedalus。Andjustfinishwhatyouhavethereandwe\'llhaveanother。Here，TimorTomorwhateveryournameis，giveusthesameagainhere。ByGod，Idon\'tfeelmorethaneighteenmyself。There\'sthatsonofminetherenothalfmyageandI\'mabettermanthanheisanydayoftheweek——
Drawitmildnow，Dedalus。Ithinkit\'stimeforyoutotakeabackseat，saidthegentlemanwhohadspokenbefore——
No，byGod!assertedMrDedalus。I\'llsingatenorsongagainsthimorI\'llvaultafive-barredgateagainsthimorI\'llrunwithhimafterthehoundsacrossthecountryasIdidthirtyyearsagoalongwiththeKerryBoyandthebestmanforit——
Buthe\'llbeatyouhere，saidthelittleoldman，tappinghisforeheadandraisinghisglasstodrainit——
Well，Ihopehe\'llbeasgoodamanashisfather。That\'sallIcansay，saidMrDedalus——
Ifheis，he\'lldo，saidthelittleoldman——
AndthanksbetoGod，Johnny，saidMrDedalus，thatwelivedsolonganddidsolittleharm——
Butdidsomuchgood，Simon，saidthelittleoldmangravely。ThanksbetoGodwelivedsolonganddidsomuchgood。
Stephenwatchedthethreeglassesbeingraisedfromthecounterashisfatherandhistwocroniesdranktothememoryoftheirpast。Anabyssoffortuneoroftemperamentsunderedhimfromthem。Hismindseemedolderthantheirs:itshonecoldlyontheirstrifesandhappinessandregretslikeamoonuponayoungerearth。Nolifeoryouthstirredinhimasithadstirredinthem。Hehadknownneitherthepleasureofcompanionshipwithothersnorthevigourofrudemalehealthnorfilialpiety。Nothingstirredwithinhissoulbutacoldandcruelandlovelesslust。Hischildhoodwasdeadorlostandwithithissoulcapableofsimplejoysandhewasdriftingamidlifelikethebarrenshellofthemoon。ArtthoupaleforwearinessOfclimbingheavenandgazingontheearth，Wanderingcompanionless？HerepeatedtohimselfthelinesofShelley\'sfragment。Itsalternationofsadhumanineffectivenesswithvastinhumancyclesofactivitychilledhimandheforgothisownhumanandineffectualgrieving。
Stephen\'smotherandhisbrotherandoneofhiscousinswaitedatthecornerofquietFosterPlacewhileheandhisfatherwentupthestepsandalongthecolonnadewheretheHighlandsentrywasparading。WhentheyhadpassedintothegreathallandstoodatthecounterStephendrewforthhisordersonthegovernorofthebankofIrelandforthirtyandthreepounds；andthesesums，themoneysofhisexhibitionandessayprize，werepaidovertohimrapidlybythetellerinnotesandincoinrespectively。
Hebestowedtheminhispocketswithfeignedcomposureandsufferedthefriendlyteller，towhomhisfatherchatted，totakehishandacrossthebroadcounterandwishhimabrilliantcareerinafterlife。Hewasimpatientoftheirvoicesandcouldnotkeephisfeetatrest。Butthetellerstilldeferredtheservingofotherstosayhewaslivinginchangedtimesandthattherewasnothinglikegivingaboythebesteducationthatmoneycouldbuy。MrDedaluslingeredinthehallgazingabouthimandupattheroofandtellingStephen，whourgedhimtocomeout，thattheywerestandinginthehouseofcommonsoftheoldIrishparliament——
Godhelpus!hesaidpiously，tothinkofthemenofthosetimes，Stephen，HelyHutchinsonandFloodandHenryGrattanandCharlesKendalBushe，andthenoblemenwehavenow，leadersoftheIrishpeopleathomeandabroad。Why，byGod，theywouldn\'tbeseendeadinaten-acrefieldwiththem。No，Stephen，oldchap，I\'msorrytosaythattheyareonlyasIrovedoutonefineMaymorninginthemerrymonthofsweetJuly。
AkeenOctoberwindwasblowingroundthebank。Thethreefiguresstandingattheedgeofthemuddypathhadpinchedcheeksandwateryeyes。StephenlookedathisthinlycladmotherandrememberedthatafewdaysbeforehehadseenamantlepricedattwentyguineasinthewindowsofBarnardo\'s——
Wellthat\'sdone，saidMrDedalus——
Wehadbettergotodinner，saidStephen。Where？——
Dinner？saidMrDedalus。Well，Isupposewehadbetter，what？——
Someplacethat\'snottoodear，saidMrsDedalus——
Underdone\'s？——
Yes。Somequietplace——
Comealong，saidStephenquickly。Itdoesn\'tmatteraboutthedearness。
Hewalkedonbeforethemwithshortnervoussteps，smiling。Theytriedtokeepupwithhim，smilingalsoathiseagerness——
Takeiteasylikeagoodyoungfellow，saidhisfather。We\'rehotoutforthehalfmile，arewe？
ForaswiftseasonofmerrymakingthemoneyofhisprizesranthroughStephen\'sfingers。Greatparcelsofgroceriesanddelicaciesanddriedfruitsarrivedfromthecity。EverydayhedrewupabilloffareforthefamilyandeverynightledapartyofthreeorfourtothetheatretoseeIngomarorTheLadyofLyons。InhiscoatpocketshecarriedsquaresofViennachocolateforhisguestswhilehistrousers\'pocketbulgedwithmassesofsilverandcoppercoins。Heboughtpresentsforeveryone，overhauledhisroom，wroteoutresolutions，marshalledhisbooksupanddowntheirshelves，poreduponallkindsofpricelists，drewupaformofcommonwealthforthehouseholdbywhicheverymemberofitheldsomeoffice，openedaloanbankforhisfamilyandpressedloansonwillingborrowerssothathemighthavethepleasureofmakingoutreceiptsandreckoningtheinterestsonthesumslent。Whenhecoulddonomorehedroveupanddownthecityintrams。Thentheseasonofpleasurecametoanend。
Thepotofpinkenamelpaintgaveoutandthewainscotofhisbedroomremainedwithitsunfinishedandill-plasteredcoat。
Hishouseholdreturnedtoitsusualwayoflife。Hismotherhadnofurtheroccasiontoupbraidhimforsquanderinghismoney。Hetooreturnedtohisoldlifeatschoolandallhisnovelenterprisesfelltopieces。Thecommonwealthfell，theloanbankcloseditscoffersanditsbooksonasensibleloss，therulesoflifewhichhehaddrawnabouthimselffellintodesuetude。
Howfoolishhisaimhadbeen!Hehadtriedtobuildabreak-wateroforderandeleganceagainstthesordidtideoflifewithouthimandtodamup，byrulesofconductandactiveinterestandnewfilialrelations，thepowerfulrecurrenceofthetideswithinhim。Useless。Fromwithoutasfromwithinthewatershadflowedoverhisbarriers:theirtidesbeganoncemoretojostlefiercelyabovethecrumbledmole。
Hesawclearlytoohisownfutileisolation。Hehadnotgoneonestepnearertheliveshehadsoughttoapproachnorbridgedtherestlessshameandrancourthathaddividedhimfrommotherandbrotherandsister。Hefeltthathewashardlyoftheonebloodwiththembutstoodtothemratherinthemysticalkinshipoffosterage，fosterchildandfosterbrother。
Heturnedtoappeasethefiercelongingsofhisheartbeforewhicheverythingelsewasidleandalien。Hecaredlittlethathewasinmortalsin，thathislifehadgrowntobeatissueofsubterfugeandfalsehood。Besidethesavagedesirewithinhimtorealizetheenormitieswhichhebroodedonnothingwassacred。Heborecynicallywiththeshamefuldetailsofhissecretriotsinwhichheexultedtodefilewithpatiencewhateverimagehadattractedhiseyes。Bydayandbynighthemovedamongdistortedimagesoftheouterworld。Afigurethathadseemedtohimbydaydemureandinnocentcametowardshimbynightthroughthewindingdarknessofsleep，herfacetransfiguredbyalecherouscunning，hereyesbrightwithbrutishjoy。
Onlythemorningpainedhimwithitsdimmemoryofdarkorgiasticriot，itskeenandhumiliatingsenseoftransgression。
Hereturnedtohiswanderings。TheveiledautumnaleveningsledhimfromstreettostreetastheyhadledhimyearsbeforealongthequietavenuesofBlackrock。Butnovisionoftrimfrontgardensorofkindlylightsinthewindowspouredatenderinfluenceuponhimnow。Onlyattimes，inthepausesofhisdesire，whentheluxurythatwaswastinghimgaveroomtoasofterlanguor，theimageofMercedestraversedthebackgroundofhismemory。Hesawagainthesmallwhitehouseandthegardenofrose-bushesontheroadthatledtothemountainsandherememberedthesadlyproudgestureofrefusalwhichhewastomakethere，standingwithherinthemoonlitgardenafteryearsofestrangementandadventure。AtthosemomentsthesoftspeechesofClaudeMelnotterosetohislipsandeasedhisunrest。
Atenderpremonitiontouchedhimofthetrysthehadthenlookedforwardtoand，inspiteofthehorriblerealitywhichlaybetweenhishopeofthenandnow，oftheholyencounterhehadthenimaginedatwhichweaknessandtimidityandinexperienceweretofallfromhim。
Suchmomentspassedandthewastingfiresoflustsprangupagain。Theversespassedfromhislipsandtheinarticulatecriesandtheunspokenbrutalwordsrushedforthfromhisbraintoforceapassage。Hisbloodwasinrevolt。Hewanderedupanddownthedarkslimystreetspeeringintothegloomoflanesanddoorways，listeningeagerlyforanysound。Hemoanedtohimselflikesomebaffledprowlingbeast。Hewantedtosinwithanotherofhiskind，toforceanotherbeingtosinwithhimandtoexultwithherinsin。Hefeltsomedarkpresencemovingirresistiblyuponhimfromthedarkness，apresencesubtleandmurmurousasafloodfillinghimwhollywithitself。Itsmurmurbesiegedhisearslikethemurmurofsomemultitudeinsleep；itssubtlestreamspenetratedhisbeing。Hishandsclenchedconvulsivelyandhisteethsettogetherashesufferedtheagonyofitspenetration。
Hestretchedouthisarmsinthestreettoholdfastthefrailswooningformthateludedhimandincitedhim:andthecrythathehadstrangledforsolonginhisthroatissuedfromhislips。Itbrokefromhimlikeawailofdespairfromahellofsufferersanddiedinawailoffuriousentreaty，acryforaniniquitousabandonment，acrywhichwasbuttheechoofanobscenescrawlwhichhehadreadontheoozingwallofaurinal。
Hehadwanderedintoamazeofnarrowanddirtystreets。Fromthefoullanewaysheheardburstsofhoarseriotandwranglingandthedrawlingofdrunkensingers。Hewalkedonward，dismayed，wonderingwhetherhehadstrayedintothequarteroftheJews。Womenandgirlsdressedinlongvividgownstraversedthestreetfromhousetohouse。Theywereleisurelyandperfumed。Atremblingseizedhimandhiseyesgrewdim。Theyellowgas-flamesarosebeforehistroubledvisionagainstthevapourysky，burningasifbeforeanaltar。Beforethedoorsandinthelightedhallsgroupsweregatheredarrayedasforsomerite。Hewasinanotherworld:hehadawakenedfromaslumberofcenturies。
Hestoodstillinthemiddleoftheroadway，hisheartclamouringagainsthisbosominatumult。Ayoungwomandressedinalongpinkgownlaidherhandonhisarmtodetainhimandgazedintohisface。Shesaidgaily:——
Goodnight，Williedear!
Herroomwaswarmandlightsome。Ahugedollsatwithherlegsapartinthecopiouseasy-chairbesidethebed。Hetriedtobidhistonguespeakthathemightseematease，watchingherassheundidhergown，notingtheproudconsciousmovementsofherperfumedhead。
Ashestoodsilentinthemiddleoftheroomshecameovertohimandembracedhimgailyandgravely。Herroundarmsheldhimfirmlytoherandhe，seeingherfaceliftedtohiminseriouscalmandfeelingthewarmcalmriseandfallofherbreast，allbutburstintohystericalweeping。
Tearsofjoyandreliefshoneinhisdelightedeyesandhislipspartedthoughtheywouldnotspeak。
Shepassedhertinklinghandthroughhishair，callinghimalittlerascal——
Givemeakiss，shesaid。
Hislipswouldnotbendtokissher。Hewantedtobeheldfirmlyinherarms，tobecaressedslowly，slowly，slowly。Inherarmshefeltthathehadsuddenlybecomestrongandfearlessandsureofhimself。Buthislipswouldnotbendtokissher。
Withasuddenmovementshebowedhisheadandjoinedherlipstohisandhereadthemeaningofhermovementsinherfrankupliftedeyes。Itwastoomuchforhim。Heclosedhiseyes，surrenderinghimselftoher，bodyandmind，consciousofnothingintheworldbutthedarkpressureofhersoftlypartinglips。Theypresseduponhisbrainasuponhislipsasthoughtheywerethevehicleofavaguespeech；andbetweenthemhefeltanunknownandtimidpressure，darkerthantheswoonofsin，softerthansoundorodour。
Chapter3TheswiftDecemberduskhadcometumblingclownishlyafteritsdulldayand，ashestaredthroughthedullsquareofthewindowoftheschoolroom，hefelthisbellycraveforitsfood。Hehopedtherewouldbestewfordinner，turnipsandcarrotsandbruisedpotatoesandfatmuttonpiecestobeladledoutinthickpepperedflour-fattenedsauce。Stuffitintoyou，hisbellycounselledhim。
Itwouldbeagloomysecretnight。Afterearlynightfalltheyellowlampswouldlightup，hereandthere，thesqualidquarterofthebrothels。
Hewouldfollowadeviouscourseupanddownthestreets，circlingalwaysnearerandnearerinatremoroffearandjoy，untilhisfeetledhimsuddenlyroundadarkcorner。Thewhoreswouldbejustcomingoutoftheirhousesmakingreadyforthenight，yawninglazilyaftertheirsleepandsettlingthehairpinsintheirclustersofhair。Hewouldpassbythemcalmlywaitingforasuddenmovementofhisownwillorasuddencalltohissin-lovingsoulfromtheirsoftperfumedflesh。Yetasheprowledinquestofthatcall，hissenses，stultifiedonlybyhisdesire，wouldnotekeenlyallthatwoundedorshamedthem；hiseyes，aringofporterfrothonaclothlesstableoraphotographoftwosoldiersstandingtoattentionoragaudyplaybill；hisears，thedrawlingjargonofgreeting:——
Hello，Bertie，anygoodinyourmind？——
Isthatyou，pigeon？——
Numberten。FreshNellyiswaitingonyou——
Goodnight，husband!Comingintohaveashorttime？
Theequationonthepageofhisscribblerbegantospreadoutawideningtail，eyedandstarredlikeapeacock\'s；and，whentheeyesandstarsofitsindiceshadbeeneliminated，beganslowlytofolditselftogetheragain。
Theindicesappearinganddisappearingwereeyesopeningandclosing；theeyesopeningandclosingwerestarsbeingbornandbeingquenched。Thevastcycleofstarrylifeborehiswearymindoutwardtoitsvergeandinwardtoitscentre，adistantmusicaccompanyinghimoutwardandinward。
Whatmusic？Themusiccamenearerandherecalledthewords，thewordsofShelley\'sfragmentuponthemoonwanderingcompanionless，paleforweariness。
Thestarsbegantocrumbleandacloudoffinestardustfellthroughspace。
Thedulllightfellmorefaintlyuponthepagewhereonanotherequationbegantounfolditselfslowlyandtospreadabroaditswideningtail。Itwashisownsoulgoingforthtoexperience，unfoldingitselfsinbysin，spreadingabroadthebale-fireofitsburningstarsandfoldingbackuponitself，fadingslowly，quenchingitsownlightsandfires。Theywerequenched:
andthecolddarknessfilledchaos。
Acoldlucidindifferencereignedinhissoul。Athisfirstviolentsinhehadfeltawaveofvitalitypassoutofhimandhadfearedtofindhisbodyorhissoulmaimedbytheexcess。Insteadthevitalwavehadcarriedhimonitsbosomoutofhimselfandbackagainwhenitreceded:andnopartofbodyorsoulhadbeenmaimedbutadarkpeacehadbeenestablishedbetweenthem。Thechaosinwhichhisardourextinguisheditselfwasacoldindifferentknowledgeofhimself。Hehadsinnedmortallynotoncebutmanytimesandheknewthat，whilehestoodindangerofeternaldamnationforthefirstsinalone，byeverysucceedingsinhemultipliedhisguiltandhispunishment。Hisdaysandworksandthoughtscouldmakenoatonementforhim，thefountainsofsanctifyinggracehavingceasedtorefreshhissoul。Atmost，byanalmsgiventoabeggarwhoseblessinghefledfrom，hemighthopewearilytowinforhimselfsomemeasureofactualgrace。
Devotionhadgonebytheboard。Whatdiditavailtopraywhenheknewthathissoullustedafteritsowndestruction？Acertainpride，acertainawe，withheldhimfromofferingtoGodevenoneprayeratnight，thoughheknewitwasinGod\'spowertotakeawayhislifewhilehesleptandhurlhissoulhellwarderehecouldbegformercy。Hisprideinhisownsin，hislovelessaweofGod，toldhimthathisoffencewastoogrievoustobeatonedforinwholeorinpartbyafalsehomagetotheAll-seeingandAll-knowing——
Wellnow，Ennis，Ideclareyouhaveaheadandsohasmystick!Doyoumeantosaythatyouarenotabletotellmewhatasurdis？
Theblunderinganswerstirredtheembersofhiscontemptofhisfellows。
Towardsothershefeltneithershamenorfear。OnSundaymorningsashepassedthechurchdoorheglancedcoldlyattheworshipperswhostoodbareheaded，fourdeep，outsidethechurch，morallypresentatthemasswhichtheycouldneitherseenorhear。Theirdullpietyandthesicklysmellofthecheaphair-oilwithwhichtheyhadanointedtheirheadsrepelledhimfromthealtartheyprayedat。Hestoopedtotheevilofhypocrisywithothers，scepticaloftheirinnocencewhichhecouldcajolesoeasily。
Onthewallofhisbedroomhunganilluminatedscroll，thecertificateofhisprefectureinthecollegeofthesodalityoftheBlessedVirginMary。OnSaturdaymorningswhenthesodalitymetinthechapeltorecitethelittleofficehisplacewasacushionedkneeling-deskattherightofthealtarfromwhichheledhiswingofboysthroughtheresponses。
Thefalsehoodofhispositiondidnotpainhim。Ifatmomentshefeltanimpulsetorisefromhispostofhonourand，confessingbeforethemallhisunworthiness，toleavethechapel，aglanceattheirfacesrestrainedhim。Theimageryofthepsalmsofprophecysoothedhisbarrenpride。ThegloriesofMaryheldhissoulcaptive:spikenardandmyrrhandfrankincense，symbolizingherroyallineage，heremblems，thelate-floweringplantandlate-blossomingtree，symbolizingtheage-longgradualgrowthofhercultusamongmen。Whenitfelltohimtoreadthelessontowardsthecloseoftheofficehereaditinaveiledvoice，lullinghisconsciencetoitsmusic。QuasicedrusexaltatasuminLibanonetquasicupressusinmonteSion。QuasipalmaexaltatasuminGadesetquasiplantatiorosaeinJericho。Quasiulivaspeciosaincampisetquasiplatanusexaltatasumjuxtaaquaminplateis。Sicutcinnamomumetbalsamumaromatizansodoremdedietquasimyrrhaelectadedisuavitatemodoris。Hissin，whichhadcoveredhimfromthesightofGod，hadledhimnearertotherefugeofsinners。Hereyesseemedtoregardhimwithmildpity；
herholiness，astrangelightglowingfaintlyuponherfrailflesh，didnothumiliatethesinnerwhoapproachedher。Ifeverhewasimpelledtocastsinfromhimandtorepenttheimpulsethatmovedhimwasthewishtobeherknight。Ifeverhissoul，re-enteringherdwellingshylyafterthefrenzyofhisbody\'slusthadspentitself，wasturnedtowardsherwhoseemblemisthemorningstar，brightandmusical，tellingofheavenandinfusingpeace，itwaswhenhernamesweremurmuredsoftlybylipswhereontherestilllingeredfoulandshamefulwords，thesavouritselfofalewdkiss。
Thatwasstrange。Hetriedtothinkhowitcouldbe。Butthedusk，deepeningintheschoolroom，coveredoverhisthoughts。Thebellrang。Themastermarkedthesumsandcutstobedoneforthenextlessonandwentout。Heron，besideStephen，begantohumtunelessly。MyexcellentfriendBombados。Ennis，whohadgonetotheyard，cameback，saying:——
Theboyfromthehouseiscomingupfortherector。
AtallboybehindStephenrubbedhishandsandsaid:——
That\'sgameball。Wecanscutthewholehour。Hewon\'tbeintillafterhalftwo。Thenyoucanaskhimquestionsonthecatechism，Dedalus。
Stephen，leaningbackanddrawingidlyonhisscribbler，listenedtothetalkabouthimwhichHeroncheckedfromtimetotimebysaying:——
Shutup，willyou。Don\'tmakesuchaballyracket!
Itwasstrangetoothathefoundanaridpleasureinfollowinguptotheendtherigidlinesofthedoctrinesofthechurchandpenetratingintoobscuresilencesonlytohearandfeelthemoredeeplyhisowncondemnation。
ThesentenceofsaintJameswhichsaysthathewhooffendsagainstonecommandmentbecomesguiltyofall，hadseemedtohimfirstaswollenphraseuntilhehadbeguntogropeinthedarknessofhisownstate。Fromtheevilseedoflustallotherdeadlysinshadsprungforth:prideinhimselfandcontemptofothers，covetousnessInusingmoneyforthepurchaseofunlawfulpleasures，envyofthosewhoseviceshecouldnotreachtoandcalumniousmurmuringagainstthepious，gluttonousenjoymentoffood，thedullgloweringangeramidwhichhebroodeduponhislonging，theswampofspiritualandbodilyslothinwhichhiswholebeinghadsunk。
Ashesatinhisbenchgazingcalmlyattherector\'sshrewdharshface，hismindwounditselfinandoutofthecuriousquestionsproposedtoit。
Ifamanhadstolenapoundinhisyouthandhadusedthatpoundtoamassahugefortunehowmuchwasheobligedtogiveback，thepoundhehadstolenonlyorthepoundtogetherwiththecompoundinterestaccruinguponitorallhishugefortune？Ifalaymaningivingbaptismpourthewaterbeforesayingthewordsisthechildbaptized？Isbaptismwithamineralwatervalid？Howcomesitthatwhilethefirstbeatitudepromisesthekingdomofheaventothepoorofheartthesecondbeatitudepromisesalsotothemeekthattheyshallpossesstheland？WhywasthesacramentoftheeucharistinstitutedunderthetwospeciesofbreadandwineifJesus`Christbepresentbodyandblood，soulanddivinity，inthebreadaloneandinthewinealone？DoesatinyparticleoftheconsecratedbreadcontainallthebodyandbloodofJesusChristorapartonlyofthebodyandblood？Ifthewinechangeintovinegarandthehostcrumbleintocorruptionaftertheyhavebeenconsecrated，isJesusChriststillpresentundertheirspeciesasGodandasman？——
Hereheis!Hereheis!
Aboyfromhispostatthewindowhadseentherectorcomefromthehouse。Allthecatechismswereopenedandallheadsbentuponthemsilently。
Therectorenteredandtookhisseatonthedais。AgentlekickfromthetallboyinthebenchbehindurgedStephentoaskadifficultquestion。
Therectordidnotaskforacatechismtohearthelessonfrom。Heclaspedhishandsonthedeskandsaid:——
TheretreatwillbeginonWednesdayafternooninhonourofsaintFrancisXavierwhosefeastdayisSaturday。TheretreatwillgoonfromWednesdaytoFriday。OnFridayconfessionwillbeheardalltheafternoonafterbeads。Ifanyboyshavespecialconfessorsperhapsitwillbebetterforthemnottochange。MasswillbeonSaturdaymorningatnineo\'clockandgeneralcommunionforthewholecollege。Saturdaywillbeafreeday。
ButSaturdayandSundaybeingfreedayssomeboysmightbeinclinedtothinkthatMondayisafreedayalso。Bewareofmakingthatmistake。I
thinkyou，Lawless，arelikelytomakethatmistake。