The rate at which the piano, cornet and violins were going, seemed to impart wildness to the half-drunken crowd.

Beer glasses were emptied at a gulp and conversation became a rapid chatter.

The smoke eddied and swirled like a shadowy river hurrying toward some unseen falls.

Pete and Maggie entered the hall and took chairs at a table near the door.

The woman who was seated there made an attempt to occupy Pete's attention and, failing, went away.
Three weeks had passed since the girl had left home.