They walked quickly, but Peter seemed to himself conscious of everyone that passed.

He scanned faces, as if to read a riddle in them.

There were men who lounged by, gay, reckless, out for fun plainly, but without any other sinister thought, apparently.

There were Tommies who saluted and trudged on heavily.

There were a couple of Yorkshire boys who did not notice them, flushed, animal, making determinedly for a destination down the street.