But they hung back from dancing, and after a pause the first-officer seized a banjo and proceeded to entertain them with comic songs.

He kept it up for a while, and then Mrs.Langdale went nobly to his assistance and sang some Irish songs.

One or two other volunteers presented themselves, and the evening's entertainment developed into a concert.
The tension relaxed considerably as the time slipped by, but it did not wholly pass.

It was noticed that the doctor was absent.
A reluctance to disperse for the night was very manifestly obvious.
About two hours after the first alarm the great ship thrilled as if in answer to some monster touch.

The languid roll ceased.