P. 68, Scene 79 (1928) Dilsey said, all right.
P. 68, Scene 80 (1900) Versh smelled like rain.
Dating these two fragments requires close attention to the text. In Scene 77 (1928), we know that dinner is almost ready. In Scene 79, Dilsey announces dinner. Then, after these two lines, Benjy's mind shifts back to 1900 and to the images of the fire and the roof. Also, there is no indication that Versh is present in 1928; therefore, Scene 80 must be dated as 1900, especially since the same image of Versh coming in out of the rain is picked up again in Scene 85, below.
P. 68, Scene 81 (about 1909) We could hear Caddy . . .
P. 69, Scene 82 (1900) Versh said, Your name Benjamin . . .
P. 69, Scene 83 (about 1909) We were in the hall.
Some of the preceding scenes, those that take place in the library, recall to Benjy's mind another scene in the library—a scene when Caddy came in from a date with someone. Scenes 81 and 83 can be dated in 1909 by using the implication that Caddy is just beginning to experiment with sex and Benjy senses a difference in her. In Scene 81, Caddy avoids Benjy's gaze because she realizes that he instinctively knows that she is no longer a virgin. Previously, when Benjy sensed some deviation, Caddy went to the bathroom and washed off the perfume or went to the kitchen and washed off the kisses with kitchen soap; now she knows that she cannot wash away her sin and tries to avoid Benjy. Benjy, however, senses her sin and begins to cry because of the sin and because the sin separates Caddy from him.
P. 69, Scene 84 (1928) What are you doing to him, . . .
P. 70, Scene 85 (1900) Versh said, "You move back . . ."
In Scene 84, Miss Quentin threatens to leave, which is exactly what she does later that same night, taking several thousand dollars from Jason's room. These events will not become clear until the fourth section of the novel.
In Scene 85, we now begin to realize that even the servants are cognizant of Mrs. Compson's ineptitude and selfishness.
P. 70, Scene 86 (1928) Has he got to keep . . .
P. 70, Scene 87 (1900) Steam came off of Roskus.
P. 70, Scene 88 (1928) Now, now, Dilsey said.
P. 70, Scene 89 (1900) It got down below the mark.
P. 71, Scene 90 (1928) Yes he will, . . .
P. 71, Scene 91 (1900) Roskus said, "It going to rain . . ."
P. 71, Scene 92 (1928) You've been running . . .
P. 71, Scene 93 (1900) "Then I dont know what . . ."
P. 71, Scene 94 (1928) Oh I wouldn't be surprised, . . .
P. 71, Scene 95 (1900) "She sulling again, . . ."
P. 71, Scene 96 (1928) Quentin pushed Dilsey away.
P. 71, Scene 97 (1900) "Mother's sick again."
P. 71, Scene 98 (1928) Goddamn you, Quentin said.
P. 71, Scene 99 (1900) Caddy gave me the cushion, . . .
The above scenes shift in time after only a sentence or two, and each change is indicated by either italics or a return to roman print. Actually, Benjy's mind is anchored back in 1900, and the comments of 1928 are simply intrusions on his memories. All of the scenes are connected by the consumption of a meal. In 1900, Benjy is eating in the kitchen with Caddy feeding him, and in 1928, he is in the dining room and Caddy's daughter (Miss Quentin) is complaining about his eating habits. In the scenes set in 1900, Benjy is radiantly happy because he is eating and he has Caddy with him. These are two things that Benjy likes.
