fergus and marsali came in quietly an hour or so later and sat together at first , holding hands near the coffin , but as more people came , the men gradually surrounded fergus , absorbing him , much as a gang of phagocytes surround a microbe , carrying it along with them , and after a time , as happens normally in such situations , half the men were at one side of the room , talking quietly , and the others outside , unable to bear close quarters and exigent emotion but wanting to lend their presence and sympathy .