Dregs of society!' said the date-seller.
'Scum!' said the lady.
'And I've heard THAT before, too,' said Robert.
At that moment the voice of the crowd changed, from anger to doubt, from doubt to fear.

There were other voices shouting; they shouted defiance and menace, and they came nearer very quickly.

There was the rattle of wheels and the pounding of hoofs.

A voice shouted, 'Guards!' 'The Guards! The Guards!' shouted another voice, and the crowd of workmen took up the cry.

'The Guards! Pharaoh's Guards!' And swaying a little once more, the crowd hung for a moment as it were balanced.