The Ghost by Arnold Bennet Chapter 14 Page 9

monotony that immense and deafening conveyance took me. There were caf�s everywhere, thickly strewn on both sides of the way — at first large and lofty and richly decorated, with vast glazed fa�ades, and manned by waiters in black and white, then gradually growing smaller and less busy. The black and white waiters gave place to men in blouses, and men in blouses gave place to women and girls — short, fat women and girls who gossiped among themselves and to customers. Once we passed a caf� quite deserted save for the waiter and the waitress, who sat, head on arms, side by side, over a table asleep.

Then the tram stopped finally, having covered about three miles. There was no sign of a cab. I proceeded on foot. The shops got smaller and dingier; they were filled, apparently, by the families of the proprietors.