A cable car went by; on the outside seats were a party of returning picnickers.

The mother, the father, a young man, and a young girl, and three children.

The two older people held empty lunch baskets in their laps, while the bands of the children's hats were stuck full of oak leaves.

The girl carried a huge bunch of wilting poppies and wild flowers.
As the car approached McTeague's window the young man got up and swung himself off the platform, waving goodby to the party.

Suddenly McTeague recognized him.
"There's Marcus Schouler," he muttered behind his mustache.
Marcus Schouler was the dentist's one intimate friend.