He turned his head and looked carelessly towards them.

They were both young; both a year ago might have been his intimates and friends.

As it was, he imagined bitterly, they probably resented his sitting even in the next chair to them.
The stage was now clear; the two sailors had departed, the audience sat waiting for the heroes of the evening and calling for them with impatient outbursts of applause.

Shere Ali waited too.

But there was no impatience on his part, as there was no enthusiasm.