The noise, he remarked, had been distracting, but the silence at once became intolerably oppressive.
'"I thought I would choke before I got drowned," he said.
'He protested he did not think of saving himself.

The only distinct thought formed, vanishing, and re-forming in his brain, was: eight hundred people and seven boats; eight hundred people and seven boats.
'"Somebody was speaking aloud inside my head," he said a little wildly.
"Eight hundred people and seven boats--and no time! Just think of it." He leaned towards me across the little table, and I tried to avoid his stare.

"Do you think I was afraid of death ?" he asked in a voice very fierce and low.

He brought down his open hand with a bang that made the coffee-cups dance.

"I am ready to swear I was not--I was not.