The other shouted into his ear. But even then his friend could not hear. Nor did he listen. The crowd upon the staircases had surged irresistibly forward and upward. There was a sudden outburst of cries. Women’s voices were raised in expostulation, and even fear.

“Oh, oh⁠—don’t push so!”

“My arm! oh!⁠—oh, I shall faint⁠ ⁠… please.”

But the men, their escorts, held back furiously; their faces purple, they shouted imprecations over their shoulders.

“Here, here, you damn fools, what you doing?”

“Don’t crowd so!”

“Get back, back!”

“There’s a lady fainted here. Get back you! We’ll all have a chance to see. Good Lord! ain’t there a policeman anywheres?”