BELLA
My word! I’m all of a mucksweat.
(She glances around her at the couples. Then her eyes rest on Bloom with hard insistence. Her large fan winnows wind towards her heated face, neck and embonpoint. Her falcon eyes glitter.)
THE FAN
(Flirting quickly, then slowly.) Married, I see.
BLOOM
Yes . . . Partly, I have mislaid . . .
THE FAN
(Half opening, then closing.) And the missus is master. Petticoat government.
BLOOM
(Looks down with a sheepish grin.) That is so.
THE FAN
(Folding together, rests against her eardrop.) Have you forgotten me?
BLOOM
Nes. Yo.
THE FAN
(Folded akimbo against her waist.) Is me her was you dreamed before? Was then she him you us since knew? Am all them and the same now we?
(Bella approaches, gently tapping with the fan.)
BLOOM
(Wincing.) Powerfu
