Улісс
Chapter 9
TheEnglishman,whoserighteyewasnearlyclosed,tookhiscornerwherehewasliberallydrenchedwithwaterandwhenthebellwentcameongameyandbrimfulofpluck,confidentofknockingoutthefisticEblaniteinjigtime.Itwasafighttoafinishandthebestmanforit.Thetwofoughtliketigersandexcitementranfeverhigh.TherefereetwicecautionedPuckingPercyforholdingbutthepetwastrickyandhisfootworkatreattowatch.Afterabriskexchangeofcourtesiesduringwhichasmartuppercutofthemilitarymanbroughtbloodfreelyfromhisopponent’smouththelambsuddenlywadedinalloverhismanandlandedaterrificlefttoBattlingBennett’sstomach,flooringhimflat.Itwasaknockoutcleanandclever.AmidtenseexpectationthePortobellobruiserwasbeingcountedoutwhenBennett’ssecondOlePfottsWettsteinthrewinthetowelandtheSantryboywasdeclaredvictortothefrenziedcheersofthepublicwhobrokethroughtheringropesandfairlymobbedhimwithdelight.
—Heknowswhichsidehisbreadisbuttered,saysAlf.Ihearhe’srunningaconcerttournowupinthenorth.
—Heis,saysJoe.Isn’the?
—Who?saysBloom.Ah,yes.That’squitetrue.Yes,akindofsummertour,yousee.Justaholiday.
—MrsB.isthebrightparticularstar,isn’tshe?saysJoe.
—Mywife?saysBloom.She’ssinging,yes.Ithinkitwillbeasuccesstoo.He’sanexcellentmantoorganise.Excellent.
HohobegobsaysItomyselfsaysI.Thatexplainsthemilkinthecocoanutandabsenceofhairontheanimal’schest.Blazesdoingthetootleontheflute.Concerttour.