Friday 5 April 2013

----Sit over, she said.

Mr Dedalus went to the end of the table and said:

----Now, Mrs Riordan, sit over. John, sit you down, my hearty.

He looked round to where uncle Charles sat and said:

----Now then, sir, there's a bird here waiting for you.

When all had taken their seats he laid his hand on the cover and then said quickly, withdrawing it:

----Now, Stephen.

Stephen stood up in his place to say the grace before the meals.

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts which through
Thy bounty we are about to receive through Christ
Our Lord. Amen.

All blessed themselves and Mr Dedalus with a sigh of pleasure lifted from the dish the heavy cover pearled around the edge with glistening drops.

Stephen looked at the plump turkey which had lain, trussed and skewered, on the kitchen table. He knew that his father had paid a guinea for it in Dunn's of D'Olier Street and that the man had prdded it often at the breastbone to show how good it was: and he remembered the man's voice when he had said:

----Take that one, sire. That's the real Ally Daly.

Why did Mr Barrett in Clongowes call his pandy bat a turkey? But Clongowes was far away: and the warm heavy smell of turkey and ham and celery rose from the plates and dishes and the great fire was banked high and red in the grate and the green ivy and red holly made you feel so happy and when dinner was ended the big plumpudding would be carried in, studded with peeled almonds and sprigs of holly, with bluish fire running around it and a little green flag flying from the top.

It was his first Christmas dinner and he though of his

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