Stephen’s heart jumped suddenly.
―Dedalus, sir.
―Why are you not writing like the others?
―I … my …
He could not speak with fright.
―Why is he not writing, Father Arnall?
―He broke his glasses, said Father Arnall, and I exempted him from work.
―Broke? What is this I hear? What is this? Your name is? said the prefect of studies.
―Dedalus, sir.
―Out here, Dedalus. Lazy little schemer. I see schemer in your face. Where did you break your glasses?
Stephen stumbled into the middle of the class, blinded by fear and haste.
―Where did you break your glasses? repeated the prefect of studies.
―The cinderpath, sir.
―Hoho! The cinderpath! cried the prefect of studies. I know that trick.
Stephen lifted his eyes in wonder and saw for a moment Father Dolan’s whitegrey not young face, his baldy whitegrey head with fluff at the sides of it, the steel rims of his spectacles and his no-coloured eyes looking through the glasses. Why did he say he knew that trick?
―Lazy idle little loafer! cried the prefect of studies. Broke my glasses! An old schoolboy trick! Out with your hand this moment!