Титаник

           Aftertheenginesstoppedtherewasamomentofstillness;andthenthevibrationbeganagain,moreinsistentlythistime,withacertainjumpingmovementwhichtotheexperiencedearmeantthattheengineswerebeingsentfullspeedastern;andthentheystoppedagain,andagaintherewasstillness.

           Hereandthereinthelongcorridorsamidshipsadooropenedandsomeonethrustaheadout,askingwhatwasthematter;hereandthereamaninpyjamasandadressing-gowncameoutofhiscabinandclimbedupthedesertedstaircasetohavealookatwhatwasgoingon;peoplesittinginthelightedsaloonsandsmoke-roomslookedatoneanotherandsaid:“Whatwasthat?”gaveorreceivedsomeexplanation,andresumedtheiroccupations.Amaninhisdressing-gowncameintooneofthesmoking-roomswhereapartywasseatedatcards,withafewyawningbystanderslookingonbeforetheyturnedin.Thenewcomerwantedtoknowwhatwasthematter,whethertheyhadnoticedanything?Theyhadfeltaslightjar,theysaid,andhadseenaniceberggoingbypastthewindows;probablytheshiphadgrazedit,butnodamagehadbeendone.Andtheyresumedtheirgameofbridge.Themaninthedressing-gownleftthesmoke-room,andneversawanyoftheplayersagain.Solittleexcitementwasthereinthispartoftheshipthatthemaninthedressing-gown(hisnamewasMr.Beezley,anEnglishschoolmaster,oneofthefewwhoemergesfromthecrowdwithanintactindividuality)wentbacktohiscabinandlaydownonhisbedwithabook,waitingfortheshiptostartagain