He had had some coughing and whistling satellites secretly gravitating towards him about the premises, but they were now dismissed, and he eyed John as if he had meant to do him a public service, but had unfortunately been anticipated.
— from Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

Five or six days had already passed since Orlov went on his tour of inspection, and no one knew when he would be back, but this time she did not send telegrams and did not expect them.
— from The Lady with the Dog and Other Stories by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

If so I do her a poor service.”
— from The Portrait of a Lady — Volume 1 by Henry James

In fact, two days had already passed since his departure, and it had been decided that on the evening of the 10th or at the latest the morning of the 11th, he should return.
— from The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne

This Pike proved to be a singular character; his manner attracted my notice at once, and I got him a horse, and had him travel with us eastward to about Elkton, whence I sent him back to General Crook at Huntsville; but told him, if I could ever do him a personal service, he might apply to me.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. (William Tecumseh) Sherman

["Argent, Sanctus Ægidius habited in his robes and mitred, holding in his dexter hand a pastoral staff, and in his left hand a clasped book, all proper.
— from A Complete Guide to Heraldry by Arthur Charles Fox-Davies

Shortly after, Paul took up the cry of liberty and declared all meats clean, every day holy, all places sacred and every act acceptable to God.
— from The Pursuit of God by A. W. (Aiden Wilson) Tozer

Nightingale, who, in many other instances, was rather too effeminate in his disposition, had a pretty strong inclination to tittle-tattle.
— from History of Tom Jones, a Foundling by Henry Fielding

And this is how it happens that painters who have gloried in rich details have always painted small pictures, and painters who have preferred larger truths pictures of bigger dimensions.
— from The Practice and Science of Drawing by Harold Speed

Be certain the dogs have a plentiful supply of good, pure water.
— from The Boston Terrier and All About It A Practical, Scientific, and Up to Date Guide to the Breeding of the American Dog by Edward Axtell

His own horse stood with drooping head and panting sides, evidently nearly done for, but Gray's horse had borne the long journey well.
— from The Bushranger's Secret by Clarke, Henry, Mrs.

The flashes from the cannon, which in daylight have a pale silver tint, succeeded each other rapidly; the explosions were formidable, and the fort was crowned with a wreath of smoke.
— from Paris under the Commune The Seventy-Three Days of the Second Siege; with Numerous Illustrations, Sketches Taken on the Spot, and Portraits (from the Original Photographs) by John Leighton

“You never did have any patience, sense, or dignity about you.”
— from Zuñi Folk Tales by Frank Hamilton Cushing

Satisfied that this fearful example would keep Russia tranquil during his absence, Peter set out on his journey, visiting most of the countries of Western Europe.
— from Historic Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 08 (of 15), Russian by Charles Morris

Proud patrician as he was, he consented, for Gracchus was highly esteemed for probity, and had done him a personal service.
— from Historic Tales: The Romance of Reality. Vol. 11 (of 15), Roman by Charles Morris

Upon reaching the building Detectives Wooldridge and Daugherty heard a pistol shot ring out which sounded as if coming from the upper story of the building.
— from Twenty Years a Detective in the Wickedest City in the World by Clifton R. (Clifton Rodman) Wooldridge

Eweword, despite his shapely and imposing bulk, had not developed his athletic possibilities so much as those of the gourmand, and, reddening to the roots of his stubbed hair, he looked the reverse of pleased with the tactless young woman,—an expression usually to be found on the countenance of one or more members of a company following the publication of her opinions.
— from Some Everyday Folk and Dawn by Miles Franklin

Two of the five days had already passed, so there was no time to lose.
— from Pictures of Hellas: Five Tales of Ancient Greece by Peder Mariager