Tall policemen stationed there had nothing to do.

The certainty of all, that they were going to win, seemed to keep everyone in good humour.

There was as yet no need to break anyone's head, for though the sharpest lookout was kept for any signs of the philosophic eye, it was only to be found--outside Courtier--in the perambulators of babies, in one old man who rode a bicycle waveringly along the street and stopped to ask a policeman what was the matter in the town, and in two rather green-faced fellows who trundled barrows full of favours both blue and yellow.
But though Courtier eyed the 'facts' with such suspicion, the keenness of everyone about the business struck him as really splendid.

They went at it with a will.

Having looked forward to it for months, they were going to look back on it for months.