From the far end of the gondola now came a prolonged crash, followed by an intemperate muttering that caused Randolph, as always, to frown and reach for his stomach.
* * * * * * * * * *
Finally, some slapstick! I can't wait to meet this hilarious individual who is falling all over everything. I'm making assumptions about the cause of the crash but I think that's okay because the use of the word "prolonged" makes me think somebody just stepped into a bucket and then stumbled into a cabinet full of China which then teetered precariously as the guy with the bucket tried to steady it but then the vase on top toppled over onto his head causing him to stumble backwards over the mop and fall into a trough of tacks. Also, Randolph doesn't panic when he hears the crash so I'm fairly certain its not some critical apparatus that maintains the airship's elevation breaking down. Randolph, instead, just frowns and gets a stomach ache.
Reaching for his stomach is important! That means Randolph is used to this sort of thing and it's giving him ulcers! Also the frowning! Like Randolph is used to this and understands it will never stop happening. Oh, and the phrase "as always" proves this is a consistent happening aboard Randolph's ship.
Is that a close enough reading of this sentence for some of you Internet people or do I have to ferret out some secret subtext relating to the stomach reaching habits of prudish Victorians?!
Oh no! I just thought of something! Maybe Randolph's stomach is infested with tumors and he's frowning at the realization (sparked by yet another misfortune befalling his ship) that he'll be dead soon! Man, I hope that's not it! I prefer slapstick to cancer.
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