The Annotated "Ulysses"/Page 084
Martin Cunningham, first, poked his silkhatted head into the creaking
carriage and, entering deftly, seated himself. Mr Power stepped in after him,
curving his height with care.
— Come on, Simon.
— After you, Mr Bloom said.
Mr Dedalus covered himself quickly and got in, saying :
— Yes, yes.
— Are we all here now? Martin Cunningham asked. Come along,
Bloom.
Mr Bloom entered and sat in the vacant place. He pulled the door to
after him and slammed it tight till it shut tight. He passed an arm through the
armstrap and looked seriously from the open carriage window at the lowered
blinds of the avenue. One dragged aside : an old woman peeping. Nose white-
flattened against the pane. Thanking her stars she was passed over. Extraordinary
the interest they take in a corpse. Glad to see us go we give them such
trouble coming. Job seems to suit them. Huggermugger in corners. Slop about
in slipperslappers for fear he’d wake. Then getting it ready. Laying it out.
Molly and Mrs Fleming making the bed. Pull it more to your side. Our
windingsheet. Never know who will touch you dead. Wash and shampoo.
I believe they clip the nails and the hair. Keep a bit in an envelope. Grow all
the same after. Unclean job.
All waited. Nothing was said. Stowing in the wreaths probably. I am sitting
on something hard. Ah, that soap in my hip pocket. Better shift it out of
that. Wait for an opportunity.
All waited. Then wheels were heard from in front turning : then nearer :
then horses’ hoofs. A jolt. Their carriage began to move, creaking and swaying.