―Whatever statement you make, says Joe, will be taken down in evidence against you.
―Of course an action would lie, says J. J. It implies that he is not compos mentis . U. p. up.
― Compos your eye! says Alf, laughing. Do you know that he’s balmy? Look at his head. Do you know that some mornings he has to get his hat on with a shoehorn?
―Yes, says J. J. , but the truth of a libel is no defence to an indictment for publishing it in the eyes of the law.
―Ha, ha, Alf, says Joe.
―Still, says Bloom, on account of the poor woman, I mean his wife.
―Pity about her, says the citizen. Or any other woman marries a half and half.
―How half and half? says Bloom. Do you mean he …
―Half and half I mean, says the citizen. A fellow that’s neither fish nor flesh.
―Nor good red herring, says