The staircase was crowded with porters going up and down with their books under their arms, policemen, and persons of all sorts and both sexes.

The door of the office, too, stood wide open.

Peasants stood waiting within.

There, too, the heat was stifling and there was a sickening smell of fresh paint and stale oil from the newly decorated rooms.
After waiting a little, he decided to move forward into the next room.
All the rooms were small and low-pitched.

A fearful impatience drew him on and on.