到后是互相见面了，谈话了，取了亲见样子，骂着野话脱，于是楼上人会了茶钱，从湿而发臭的两道走去，从那些肮脏地方走到船上了。

• This convenient proximity enabled people on shore or on the river to hail their acquaintances, and then to meet, chat, flirt or shout abuse. The customers in the teahouse, having paid up, left by a musty corridor and sloshed through the mire to the boats.