V

―Katey, fill out the place for Stephen to wash.

―Boody, fill out the place for Stephen to wash.

―I can’t, I’m going for blue. Fill it out, you, Maggy.

When the enamelled basin had been fitted into the well of the sink and the old washing glove flung on the side of it he allowed his mother to scrub his neck and root into the folds of his ears and into the interstices at the wings of his nose.

―Well, it’s a poor case, she said, when a university student is so dirty that his mother has to wash him.

―But it gives you pleasure, said Stephen calmly.

An earsplitting whistle was heard from upstairs and his mother thrust a damp overall into his hands, saying:

―Dry yourself and hurry out for the love of goodness.

A second shrill whistle, prolonged angrily, brought one of the girls to the foot of the staircase.

―Yes, father?

―Is your lazy bitch of a brother gone out yet?

―Yes, father.

―Sure?

―Yes, father.

―Hm!

The girl came back, making signs to him to be quick and go out quietly by the back. Stephen laughed and said: