The person’s head disappeared. He gave a loud knock with the big brass knocker which Stephen had bought in Jerusalem. Just one knock. Then the whole world was silent. Stephen’s heart thumped like a steam-engine going at slow speed. He thought, “It’s true what they say in the books.⁠ ⁠… I can hear it.”

The person shuffled its feet on the step.

“My God!” said Stephen again. “My God!”

In the hall there was an enormous silence. A tug hooted dismally on the river. Stephen started scratching again. He was thinking of his wife now, of Margery. He loved Margery⁠—he loved her very truly and well. And she was just going to have a baby. What would she⁠—How would she⁠—O God!