Icy seas, monstrous and menacing, went smashing past the sealed and blinded port; but there was no wind and the thudding of the guns came distinctly to their ears.
A shape in uniform loomed at the cabin door for an instant and a calm, unhurried voice summoned them.
Corridors were full of dark figures. The main saloon was thronged as they climbed the companion-way. There appeared to be no panic, no haste, no confusion. Voices were moderately low, the tone casually conversational.
Miss Erith's arm remained linked in McKay's where they stood together amid the crowd.
"U-boats, I fancy," she said.
"Probably."
After a moment: "What were you dreaming about, Mr. McKay?" she asked lightly. In the dull bluish dusk of the saloon his boyish face grew hot.
"What was it you called me?" she insisted. "Was it Eve?"
At that his cheeks burnt crimson.
"What do you mean?" he muttered.