She stood with her back to him, looking out of the window.
"The streets are full of people," she said quietly.

"Their eyes are all turned here.

Poor people!" Maraton crossed the room and stood by her side.

He spoke very gently.
He even took her hand, which lay like a lump of ice in his.
"Julia," he whispered, "you lose hope and trust too soon." "You have spoken of doubts," she answered, in a low tone.

"The prophet has no doubts." There was a sound of voices outside, of heavy footsteps on the stairs.
They heard Graveling's loud, unpleasant voice.