A lane instantly formed in front of Stephen, and he passed through with smiling faces and kind looks on either side of him; he noticed some of the men whose backs he had oiled earlier that morning looked remarkably cheerful, particularly Edwards, for he, being black, had a smile that flashed far whiter in the gloom; attentive hands tweaked a bench out of his way, and a ship's boy was slewed violently round on his axis and desired 'not to turn his back on the Doctor – where were his fucking manners?' Kind creatures; such good-natured faces; but they were killing Cheslin.
As Stephen moved through the crowd, he was greeted with smiles and friendly expressions from those around him. He recognized some men he had previously helped that morning, particularly noticing Edwards, whose bright smile stood out in the dim surroundings. The atmosphere was filled with camaraderie, as someone even moved a bench to allow him passage, and a young boy was playfully reprimanded for turning his back on the doctor. The friendly interactions painted a warm picture of the community's spirit.
However, this warmth highlighted the underlying tensions in their situation, particularly concerning Cheslin. Although the people around Stephen were kind-hearted and created an uplifting moment, it contrasted sharply with Cheslin's plight, suggesting that such goodwill might obscure the harsher realities they were facing. It illustrated a duality in their lives, where moments of brightness coexisted with significant struggles.
