The people on shore merged into one dark object; the greetings became indistinct; the great city itself, back of the pier, melted into a gray mass as seen through the rain.
Chester Lawrence stood on the deck of the departing vessel and watched the interesting scene.

He stood as one apart from the crowd, having no portion with either those on board or those left behind.

He was a spectator only.

Not a soul in that mass of humanity on the pier, not one in the big city, knew Chester Lawrence or had a thought for him.

No one cared whether his voyage would be pleasant or otherwise.