Page 440 - ULYSSES

Ulysses

—Hello, Simon, Father Cowley said. How are things?
—Hello, Bob, old man, Mr Dedalus answered,
stopping.
They clasped hands loudly outside Reddy and

Daughter’s. Father Cowley brushed his moustache often
downward with a scooping hand.
—What’s the best news? Mr Dedalus said.
—Why then not much, Father Cowley said. I’m
barricaded up, Simon, with two men prowling around the
house trying to effect an entrance.
—Jolly, Mr Dedalus said. Who is it?
—O, Father Cowley said. A certain gombeen man of
our acquaintance.
—With a broken back, is it? Mr Dedalus asked.
—The same, Simon, Father Cowley answered. Reuben
of that ilk. I’m just waiting for Ben Dollard. He’s going to
say a word to long John to get him to take those two men
off. All I want is a little time.
He looked with vague hope up and down the quay, a
big apple bulging in his neck.
—I know, Mr Dedalus said, nodding. Poor old
bockedy Ben! He’s always doing a good turn for someone.
Hold hard!

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