It was part of the burlesque meanness pervading that particular disaster at sea that they did not come to blows.

It was all threats, all a terribly effective feint, a sham from beginning to end, planned by the tremendous disdain of the Dark Powers whose real terrors, always on the verge of triumph, are perpetually foiled by the steadfastness of men.

I asked, after waiting for a while, "Well, what happened ?" A futile question.

I knew too much already to hope for the grace of a single uplifting touch, for the favour of hinted madness, of shadowed horror.

"Nothing," he said.