He stood for the moment the idol of the populace.

For him this vast concourse of human beings had waited in rain and mud and now became a deafening, seething welter of human passion.

He gripped the rail tighter and closed his eyes.

He heard as in a dream the voice of the mayor behind him: "Say a few words.

They won't hear you--but that doesn't matter." Then Paul drew himself up, facing the whirling scene.