At that point there is a great block of buildings, entirely let out in dram shops and eating-houses; women were continually running in and out, bare-headed and in their indoor clothes.

Here and there they gathered in groups, on the pavement, especially about the entrances to various festive establishments in the lower storeys.

From one of these a loud din, sounds of singing, the tinkling of a guitar and shouts of merriment, floated into the street.
A crowd of women were thronging round the door; some were sitting on the steps, others on the pavement, others were standing talking.

A drunken soldier, smoking a cigarette, was walking near them in the road, swearing; he seemed to be trying to find his way somewhere, but had forgotten where.

One beggar was quarrelling with another, and a man dead drunk was lying right across the road.