“Well, you know, sir,” said Jack, diffidently—he didn’t like spinning a yarn, as he called it, before strangers—“that I understand a little Chinese; and I caught something of what the serang was saying to those two beggars in the boat.”
— from The Penang Pirate and, The Lost Pinnace by John C. (John Conroy) Hutcheson

“Now then,” he thought, “it only wants a little courage, and I can slide down and join him, and then we’re free.”
— from The Adventures of Don Lavington: Nolens Volens by George Manville Fenn

"Not in the least, my lord," answered the surgeon; "a little cheerful and interesting conversation, such as your lordship's must always be, would, most likely, withdraw his mind from himself, and rather do him good than otherwise."
— from The Gipsy: A Tale (Vols I & II) by G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford) James

The snake was very interesting, and then a long chase after a lame crow, and its capture, so absorbed Tommy’s mind and time, that he never thought of his money till he was safely in bed that night.
— from Little Men: Life at Plumfield with Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott

As we drew nearer to Corisco they grew more and more importunate, until at last Croft and I could stand the worry no longer.
— from The Gland Stealers by Bertram Gayton

Nevertheless, there was one who gave himself a most glowing and lengthy character, and in conclusion stated that he had greatly enjoyed writing it.
— from The Cruise of the Snark by Jack London

I am looking at you through a little chink, and I can see neither hunters nor game amongst you.”
— from The Devil's Pool by George Sand

I know too that there are bulgings above and protuberances below, and half a yard of dirty sacking, and seven pieces of ragged rope, and always room for something else; but at this point my impression becomes a little confused, and I cannot state with assurance which end is attached to the horse.
— from The Simple Adventures of a Memsahib by Sara Jeannette Duncan