Page 540 (15.4179-4208) "bitchbody. She kicked... Look! He's white."

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bitchbody. She kicked the bucket. (Tears of molten butter fall from his eyes onto the scone.) Our great sweet mother! Epi oinopa ponton.




THE MOTHER
(Comes nearer, breathing upon him softly her breath of wetted ashes.) All must go through it, Stephen. More women than men in the world. You too. Time will come.




STEPHEN
(Choking with fright, remorse and horror.) They say I killed you, mother. He offended your memory. Cancer did it, not I. Destiny.




THE MOTHER
(A green rill of bile trickling from a side of her mouth.) You sang that song to me. Love's bitter mystery.




STEPHEN
(Eagerly.) Tell me the word, mother, if you know now. The word known to all men.




THE MOTHER
Who saved you the night you jumped into the train at Dalkey with Paddy Lee? Who had pity for you when you were sad among the strangers? Prayer is allpowerful. Prayer for the suffering souls in the Ursuline manual and forty days' indulgence. Repent, Stephen.




STEPHEN
The ghoul! Hyena!




THE MOTHER
I pray for you in my other world. Get Dilly to make you that boiled rice every night after your brainwork. Years and years I loved you, O my son, my firstborn, when you lay in my womb.

this comes from a c1904 epiphany: "She comes at night when the city is still, invisible, inaudible, all unsummoned. She comes from her ancient seat to visit the least of her children, mother most venerable, as though he had never been alien to her. She knows the inmost heart; therefore, she is gentle, nothing exacting, saying, I am susceptible of change, an imaginative influence in the hearts of my children. Who has pity for you when you are sad among the strangers? Years and years I loved you when you lay in my womb."



ZOE
(Fanning herself with the gratefan.) I'm melting!




FLORRY
(Points to Stephen.) Look! He's white.

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