"“When you smoke your pipe, you feel an initial rush of stimulation, followed by a calmness, a steadying of the nerves…"

"Comstock permitted himself a dry chuckle. “You are a man of many words but few specifics. You’d do well in Parliament…"

"Condemn an Englishman to hell, and he'd plant a bed of petunias and roll out a nice bowling-green on the brimstone."

"“Sir, my admiration for your work is mingled with wonder that a man of your age and dignity is out doing things like …"

"“Thank you, guv’nor,” the brewer said to the old man... “But I couldn’t possibly.” And he tossed the coin back… “If i…"

"“Sergeant Shaftoe,” said the old man, “I do pity the Grim Reaper on the day that he shall finally come for you in ear…"

"“I spied ‘em again this morning, Tomba! …I looked to the West and saw ‘em, all lit up by the red sun shining in off t…"

"There is nothing quite so civilized as to be recognized in public places as the author of books no one has read."

""Why does the tide rush out to the sea?" "The influence of the sun and the moon." "Yet you and I cannot see the sun o…"

"Sergeant Shaftoe was not the sort who would admit to being startled or impressed by anything, but at least he did not…"