The others glanced at one another, hesitated, and put their pipes into their pockets.
There was little talking, for they all gazed at me as if something astounding might happen at any moment.

The clock had stopped, but the ventilator was clicking.

Although Jimmy and the others saw only me, I tried not to see only them.

I conjured up the face of a lady, and she smiled encouragingly, and then I felt safer.

But at times her face was lost in smoke, or suddenly it was Marriot's face, eager, doleful, wistful.
At first I puffed vigorously and wastefully, then I became scientific and sent out rings of smoke so strong and numerous that half a dozen of them were in the air at a time.