I didn't love making those things because you had helped us, but because you're my friend."
— from 'Possum by Mary Grant Bruce

"No, you don't," grinned Dade, "for then you would not have the Sunal rancho before you, to build hopes upon, but behind you—and hope, they say, is sweeter than memory, Pancho."
— from The Gringos A Story Of The Old California Days In 1849 by B. M. Bower

You have gained the greatest victory a priest ever won over his unjust bishop; but you must thank the Emperor Napoleon for it.
— from Fifty Years in the Church of Rome by Charles Paschal Telesphore Chiniquy

I'd go an' look her up, but beggin' your pardon, I ain't got one minute to spare, the boss is waitin' for me now," and, touching his shabby old hat, Mike departed.
— from The Girl at Cobhurst by Frank Richard Stockton