This phrase in paragraph 12 adds a serious and critical tone to the passage.
This phrase was made by the Canadian man that was present in the vessel. He believed that the journey they were making was not really sensible. The story is culled from the book, "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas Revised."
Since they were now stuck with no way to return, he suggested that they retrace their journey to a land of sensible people.
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