But many waited; lighting their cigars or cigarettes or pipes, they stood gossiping with one another, looking at their watches now and again, lest they should overstay their leisure.
Thus the assembly grew to the number of a couple of hundred.

I ceased my walk, for the pavement was too crowded, and hung on the outskirts of the throng.

As I loitered there, a cigar in my mouth, I felt a hand on my shoulder.

Turning round, I saw the lieutenant.

He was in uniform.