“By this time the report of the accident had spread among the workmen and boatmen about the Cobb, and many were collected near them, to be useful if wanted; at any rate, to enjoy the sight of a dead young lady, nay, two dead young ladies, for it proved twice as fine as the first report.” (Chapter 12)

In this time of great chaos JA inserts this amusing and true observation on the nature of human beings. It is in a way, good to know that people really have not changed very much in essentials since JA was last able to describe them so eloquently for our enjoyment. It almost never fails that when you finally get to the juncture of traffic and the accident which has been holding you up that you find the accident has long been cleared away and what is actually holding traffic back is rubbernecking.