The Annotated "Ulysses"/Page 054
— Afraid of the chickens she is, he said mockingly. Afraid of the chook-
chooks. I never saw such a stupid pussens as the pussens.
Cruel. Her nature. Curious mice never squeal. Seem to like it.
— Mrkrgnao! the cat said loudly.
She blinked up out of her avid shameclosing eyes, mewing plaintively
and long, showing him her milkwhite teeth. He watched the dark eyeslits
narrowing with greed till her eyes were green stones. Then he went to the
dresser, took the jug Hanlon’s milkman had just filled for him, poured
warm bubbled milk on a saucer and set it slowly on the floor.
— Gurrhr! she cried, running to lap.
He watched the bristles shining wirily in the weak light as she tipped
three times and licked lightly. Wonder is it true if you clip them they can’t
mouse after. Why? They shine in the dark, perhaps, the tips. Or kind of
feelers in the dark, perhaps.
He listened to her licking lap. Ham and eggs, no. No good eggs with this
drouth. Want pure fresh water. Thursday : not a good day either for a
mutton kidney at Buckley’s. Fried with butter, a shake of pepper. Better a
pork kidney at Dlugacz’s. While the kettle is boiling. She lapped slower,
then licking the saucer clean. Why are their tongues so rough? To lap better,
all porous holes. Nothing she can eat? He glanced round him. No.
On quietly creaky boots he went up the staircase to the hall, paused by
the bedroom door. She might like something tasty. Thin bread and butter she
likes in the morning. Still perhaps : once in a way.
He said softly in the bare hall :
— I am going round the corner. Be back in a minute.
And when he had heard his voice say it he added :
— You don’t want anything for breakfast?
A sleepy soft grunt answered :
— Mn.
No. She did not want anything. He heard then a warm heavy sigh, softer,
as she turned over and the loose brass quoits of the bedstead jingled. Must get
those settled really. Pity. All the way from Gibraltar. Forgotten any little
Spanish she knew. Wonder what her father gave for it. Old style. Ah yes, of
course. Bought it at the governor’s auction. Got a short knock. Hard as nails
at a bargain, old Tweedy. Yes, sir. At Plevna that was. I rose from the
ranks, sir, and I’m proud of it. Still he had brains enough to make that corner
in stamps. Now that was farseeing.