They could hear him, however--hear his sighing, which showed an endurance or exhaustion greater than that of his fellow-sufferers; for they filled every lull in the noises with their groans and entreaties.
The second hour after the suspension passed like the first one.
To the Nazarene they were hours of insult, provocation, and slow dying.

He spoke but once in the time.

Some women came and knelt at the foot of his cross.

Among them he recognized his mother with the beloved disciple.
"Woman," he said, raising his voice, "behold thy son!" And to the disciple, "Behold thy mother!" The third hour came, and still the people surged round the hill, held to it by some strange attraction, with which, in probability, the night in midday had much to do.

They were quieter than in the preceding hour; yet at intervals they could be heard off in the darkness shouting to each other, multitude calling unto multitude.
It was noticeable, also, that coming now to the Nazarene, they approached his cross in silence, took the look in silence, and so departed.