Stephen, taking his ashplant from its leaningplace, followed them out and, as they went down the ladder, pulled to the slow iron door and locked it. He put the huge key in his inner pocket.

At the foot of the ladder Buck Mulligan asked:

―Did you bring the key?

―I have it, Stephen said, preceding them.

He walked on. Behind him he heard Buck Mulligan club with his heavy bathtowel the leader shoots of ferns or grasses.

―Down, sir. How dare you, sir.

Haines asked:

―Do you pay rent for this tower?

―Twelve quid, Buck Mulligan said.