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 sprung.  Get those policemen to move those loafers back.

Second watch:  Night, Mr Kelleher.

Corny Kelleher:  (To the watch, with drawling eye) That’s all right.  I know him.  Won a bit on the races.  Gold cup.  Throwaway. (He laughs) Twenty to one.  Do you follow me?

First watch:  (Turns to the crowd) Here, what are you all gaping at?  Move on out of that.

(The crowd disperses slowly, muttering, down the lane.)