ute ute ute ute ute ute. THE CROWD: Let him up! Don't strike him when he's down! Air! Who? The soldier hit him. He's a professor. Is he hurted? Don't manhandle him! He's fainted! A HAG: What call had the redcoat to strike the gentleman and he under the influence. Let them go and fight the Boers! THE BAWD: Listen to who's talking! Hasn't the soldier a right to go with his girl? He gave him the coward's blow. (They grab at each other's hair, claw at each other and spit) THE RETRIEVER: (Barking) Wow wow wow. BLOOM: (Shoves them back, loudly) Get back, stand back! PRIVATE COMPTON: (Tugging his comrade) Here. Bugger off, Harry. Here's the cops! (Two raincaped watch, tall, stand in the group.) FIRST WATCH: What's wrong here? PRIVATE COMPTON: We were with this lady. And he insulted us. And assaulted my chum. (The retriever barks) Who owns the bleeding tyke? CISSY CAFFREY: (With expectation) Is he bleeding! A MAN: (Rising from his knees) No. Gone off. He'll come to all right. BLOOM: (Glances sharply at the man) Leave him to me. I can easily... SECOND WATCH: Who are you? Do you know him? PRIVATE CARR: (Lurches towards the watch) He insulted my lady friend. BLOOM: (Angrily) You hit him without provocation. I'm a witness. Constable, take his regimental number. SECOND WATCH: I don't want your instructions in the discharge of my duty. PRIVATE COMPTON: (Pulling his comrade) Here, bugger off Harry. Or Bennett'll shove you in the lockup. PRIVATE CARR: (Staggering as he is pulled away) God fuck old Bennett. He's a whitearsed bugger. I don't give a shit for him. FIRST WATCH: (Takes out his notebook) What's his name? BLOOM: (Peering over the crowd) I just see a car there. If you give me a hand a second, sergeant... FIRST WATCH: Name and address. (Corny Kelleker, weepers round his hat, a death wreath in his hand, appears among the bystanders.) BLOOM: (Quickly) O, the very man! (He whispers) Simon Dedalus' son. A bit