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Interesting that the metaphor Stephen latches onto to describe Dilly's plight is "drowning." He feels guilt ― perhaps not elevated to full consciousness ― because he imagines that all his siblings are drowning in poverty and he can do nothing to save them: each one, including Stephen, can only fend for him- or herself. We must reassess what's previously been on his mind when he has thought about drownings, and maybe extend our consideration of the significance of "agenbite of inwit." The guilt he feels is not only related to his mother's death, perhaps, but also to his incapacity of helping his siblings. In Proteus (http://www.infiniteulysses.com/ulysses/45) Stephen asked himself if, in certain circumstances, he would try to save a drowning man. Now, in Wandering Rocks, he identifies his own sister in a drowning condition right before him. Does he try to help her? No.