And a great cheer there was; for though the street was a retired one, quite a body of spectators had gathered one by one behind the police and were watching the conference with lively interest. They now showed audibly on which side their partialities had settled. That cry, It is he of the Diapleuston, opened their mouths, and opened them widely. But, long before they had chosen their side, Antis made a very sorry appearance over against Aleph; and as the citizens watched the lofty composure of the young man and his princely bearing, and caught a glimpse of Shaphan and Nathan and the womanly star in the background, they thought the house was well occupied as it was. And they proceeded to say so. They became very free in expressing their minds.
One cried out scornfully, “Turning out such to put in such!”
“Go away!” cried a second, as he shook his fist energetically at the police.
“Off with you!” shouted a third, with both hands in the air, and with the air of one driving away a flock of geese.
“Go!” screamed a fourth, “and you may confidentially tell those who sent you that you were not mean enough, as well as not strong enough, to do the work set you!”
And so the cries went on in a very amusing (to the citizens) and significant variety—went on growing in strength and urgency.
The captain plainly saw that but one course was open to him. He must make a virtue of necessity, and withdraw for the present with as good grace as he could. So he said that perhaps it would be well for him to report at headquarters what had been told him, and see what his principals thought of it. Of course, they did not intend to establish a den of thieves and murderers. So off he marched with his detachment—Antis closely following with a face in which fear and mortification and rage were contending for the mastery, and greeted as he passed with many a See the hangdog and other like complimentary expressions.
Aleph bowed to the friendly citizens with a smile, got another hearty cheer in return, and closed the door.
Shaphan and Nathan were warm in their congratulations. As for Rachel—her eyes were more lustrous than ever, and a richer color was in her cheek, but she said nothing. She did not even look at him.