This he said to the doctors and other persons who were standing at the gate. Among them was Sir William Braidwood, who replied:
'I don't know that she isn't right.'
'It's all very well for you to talk like that, but what am I to do? You tell me with one breath that if something isn't done people will die, and with another that because I try to get something done I merit a snubbing.'
'Exactly. This isn't a public institution; the girl has a right to resent your treating it as if it were. These people oughtn't to be here at all. Those who are responsible for some of them ought to be made to stand their trial for murder. This person, whoever he is, has promised nothing. They have not the slightest claim upon him. They are here as a pure speculation. Your men are to blame for allowing them to assemble in such a fashion, not the girl who endeavours to protect her guest from intrusion.'
Someone called out from the crowd:
'Ain't he coming, sir? I'm fair finished, I am--been here six hours. I'm clean done up.'
'What right have you to be there at all? You ought to be at home in bed.'
'I've come to be healed.'
'Come to be healed! I suppose if you want a hatful of money, you think you've only got to ask for it. You've no right to be here.'
Murmurs arose--cries, prayers, stifled execrations. An inspector said to his chief: