people who were in relatively tight quarters-stuck on a ship in the middle of the ocean-tended to get to know each other more quickly than they might on dry land . he reached inside his jacket and drew out a long , rectangular black velvet box , the sort of box you 'd think would contain expensive jewelry . `` at the police station on magnolia . 'fair shall the end be , ' he cried , though long and hard shall be the road ! 