Voyage on the Great Titanic: the Diary of Margaret Ann Brady, RMS Titanic, 1912

Monday 15, April 1912

It was after midnight, and I could still hear people moving about in the passageway. Before I had time to go out and join them, there was a sharp knock on my door. I opened it to see Robert. He was smiling, but his eyes looked urgent.

"Good evening, Miss Brady," he said. "You need to put on something warm, and report to the Boat Deck with your life belt."

Miss Brady? When I heard that, I felt alarmed for the first time, but I was also startled....

"A routine drill," he said. "No need to fret."

I knew he needed to get on with his duties, so I found a smile for him and nodded.... Robert started for the next stateroom, but then stopped.

"You'll not want to take your time, Margaret," he said in a very quiet voice.

It did not seem possible — but maybe this was not a drill.