They were quiet because they had been stunned. Their hearts had almost run out of their bodies when the line of people on deck finally started to move forward, and, with a great cheer, a thousand souls began to descend from the gangway into the new land That morning, Brooklyn had spoken off to the right with its church bells, klaxons, and boat horns. The streets that ran up its sloping hills glittered and waved in the sun they were the scene of constant traffic, as were the harbor, the piers, and the river lanes. Even the air was crowded with clouds and birds, fleeing together in the wind with unbent white energy. After so long in places so difficult, the immigrants could almost hear music as the buildings rose up ahead and sparkled. Here was a place that was infinitely variable and rich Its gates were like the gates of heaven; and if there were some on the other side who said that this was not true, all one had to say was, "After what I have been through, the power of my dream makes it true. Even if this place is not the great beauty that I think it is, I'll make it so, one way or another." As they moved in the packed line, they looked over the rails and saw people beyond the barriers smiling at them as if to say, "Just wait! You have hard and good times ahead, as I did." The signals were from everywhere and very strong. The world they faced was terrifying and beautiful.