But now the matter was of even greater urgency. Still unclear in her mind as to where she was heading, like someone in a nightmare, she walked blindly to the end of the street. As she made to turn the corner into the Saltmarket, an Irish-sounding voice stopped her progress with the words, “Ye’ll not be getting down that street this day, my girl. The Bread Rioters have already barricaded it with planks of wood and even with a coal-cart.” Lara turned to face the young man who had just spoken to her and said, “Have they indeed, so they’ve barricaded it? But tell me this, are all the streets roundabout here closed off? And if they are, what possible business is it of the Bread Rioters, whoever they might be?” The young man laughed. As Lara made to turn away from him, he took a long reflective look at her and her bundles. “Uch God love ye, lass,” he said. “I should have realised.
