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!
(The retriever, nosing on the fringe of the crowd, barks noisily.)
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. There’s the cops! (Two raincaped watch, tall, stand in the group.)
FIRST WATCH
What’s wrong here?
PRIVATE COMPTON
