Page:Ulysses, 1922.djvu/326

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I, says Joe. I’m the alligator.

And after all, says John Wyse, why can’t a jew love his country like the next fellow?

Why not? says J. J., when he’s quite sure which country it is.

Is he a jew or a gentile or a holy Roman or a swaddler or what the hell is he? says Ned. Or who is he? No offence, Crofton.

We don’t want him, says Crofter the Orangeman or presbyterian.

Who is Junius? says J. J.

He’s a perverted jew, says Martin, from a place in Hungary and it was he drew up all the plans according to the Hungarian system. We know that in the castle.

Isn’t he a cousin of Bloom the dentist? says Jack Power.

Not at all, says Martin. Only namesakes. His name was Virag. The father’s name that poisoned himself. He changed it by deedpoll, the father did.

That’s the new Messiah for Ireland! says the citizen. Island of saints and sages!

Well, they’re still waiting for their redeemer, says Martin. For that matter so are we.

Yes, says J. J., and every male that’s born they think it may be their Messiah. And every jew is in a tall state of excitement, I believe, till he knows if he’s a father or a mother.

Expecting every moment will be his next, says Lenehan.

O, by God, says Ned, you should have seen Bloom before that son of his that died was born. I met him one day in the south city markets buying a tin of Neave’s food six weeks before the wife was delivered.

En ventre sa mère, says J. J.

Do you call that a man? says the citizen.

I wonder did he ever put it out of sight, says Joe.

Well, there were two children born anyhow, says Jack Power.

And who does he suspect? says the citizen.

Gob, there’s many a true word spoken in jest. One of those mixed middlings he is. Lying up in the hotel Pisser was telling me once a month with headache like a totty with her courses. Do you know what I’m telling you? It’d be an act of God to take a hold of a fellow the like of that and throw him in the bloody sea. Justifiable homicide, so it would. Then sloping off with his five quid without putting up a pint of stuff like a man. Give us your blessing. Not as much as would blind your eye.