With today's reading, Eumaeus, episode 16 came to an end.
Summary:
At this late hour (it is past midnight) Bloom wants to invite Stephen to spend the night at his home in Eccles street but wonders how to formulate his invitation. After mature reflection, Bloom tells Stephen, "As it's rather stuffy here you just come home with me and talk things over."
Outside, their talk turns to music. Stephen, who has been rather silent, loosens up a little. Still the two continue to talk at cross purposes. Bloom wants to show that he knows something about the topic, Stephen talks without explaining or caring whether he is understood.
Soon Bloom and Stephen have to stop for an old horse which is dragging a sweeper on the road. Bloom feels sorry for it and wishes he had a lump of sugar. The horse deposits three smoking globes of turds on the road. At this point, a shift in perspective occurs and the scene is perceived from the driver of the horse cart, who, though he can not hear what they are saying, watches the two men walking away side by side. Bloom and Stephen walk, stop for a while, continue to walk and to talk, linked in companionship but apart from each other mentally.
