―Yes.

―I just called to ask on the way in is she over it. She’s in the lying-in hospital in Holles street. Dr Horne got her in. She’s three days bad now.

―O, Mr Bloom said. I’m sorry to hear that.

―Yes, Mrs Breen said. And a houseful of kids at home. It’s a very stiff birth, the nurse told me.

―O, Mr Bloom said.

His heavy pitying gaze absorbed her news. His tongue clacked in compassion. Dth! Dth!