Before taking final leave of me, my instructor inquired concerning my physical strength, and I was able to inform him that I hadn't any.
— from What Is Man? and Other Essays by Mark Twain

A little fearfully now, Pollyanna felt her way to these bags, selected a nice fat soft one (it contained Miss Polly's sealskin coat) for a bed; and a thinner one to be doubled up for a pillow, and still another (which was so thin it seemed almost empty) for a covering.
— from Pollyanna by Eleanor H. (Eleanor Hodgman) Porter

" Perhaps Susan was unjust in connecting Mr. Pryor's smile with the sinking of the Lusitania, news of which circulated an hour later when the mail was distributed.
— from Rilla of Ingleside by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery

My conscience smote me for this unguarded expression: I felt that the Lord was able to disappoint me in all things, and immediately considered my present situation as a judgment of Heaven on account of my presumption in swearing: I therefore, with contrition of heart, acknowledged my transgression to God, and poured out my soul before him with unfeigned repentance, and with earnest supplications I besought him not to abandon me in my distress, nor cast me from his mercy for ever.
— from The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, Or Gustavus Vassa, The African Written By Himself by Olaudah Equiano

then a T. This is important,’ continued Mr. Pickwick, starting up.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens

—But it was my intention to have the basket—it was the gossip’s intention to keep it, without which, she could do nothing with her eggs——and unless I had the basket, I could do as little with my figs, which were too ripe already, and most of ’em burst at the side: this brought on a short contention, which terminated in sundry proposals, what we should both do—— ——How we disposed of our eggs and figs, I defy you, or the Devil himself, had he not been there (which I am persuaded he was), to form the least probable conjecture: You will read the whole of it——not this year, for I am hastening to the story of my uncle Toby ’s amours—but you will read it in the collection of those which have arose out of the journey 64 across this plain—and which, therefore, I call my PLAIN STORIES.
— from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne

But it was my intention to have the basket—it was the gossip's intention to keep it, without which, she could do nothing with her eggs—and unless I had the basket, I could do as little with my figs, which were too ripe already, and most of 'em burst at the side: this brought on a short contention, which terminated in sundry proposals, what we should both do— —How we disposed of our eggs and figs, I defy you, or the Devil himself, had he not been there (which I am persuaded he was), to form the least probable conjecture: You will read the whole of it—not this year, for I am hastening to the story of my uncle Toby's amours—but you will read it in the collection of those which have arose out of the journey across this plain—and which, therefore, I call my Plain Stories.
— from The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman by Laurence Sterne

Old Muff’s Friends—Muff Potter in Court —Muff Potter Saved CHAPTER XXIV.
— from The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Centuries of sculptors carved marble and berroqueña ; armies of artisans wrought marvels in cloths, metals, precious stones, glass, and wood, and a host of painters, both foreign and national, from Goya and Ribera to the Greco and Rubens, painted religious compositions for the sacristy and chapels.
— from The Cathedrals of Northern Spain Their History and Their Architecture; Together with Much of Interest Concerning the Bishops, Rulers and Other Personages Identified with Them by Charles Rudy

Germans over in this country, especially those in comparatively menial positions, such as barbers and waiters, are necessary to us industrially.
— from The Double Traitor by E. Phillips (Edward Phillips) Oppenheim

‘In conclusion, Mr Pancks,’ said Arthur, ‘I have but to say this.
— from Little Dorrit by Charles Dickens

After him inferior characters may perhaps succeed, and awaken us to the danger which his merit has led us into.
— from The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 2 (of 9) Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private by Thomas Jefferson

"Right Mr. MELMOTH WALTERS is," corrected Mr. PELL, severely.
— from Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, September 5, 1891 by Various

At this time I went to head-quarters, and urged the necessity of telegraphing an order for four hundred small field-stoves, which order had been agreed upon in case my plan succeeded and was adopted by the authorities.
— from Soyer's Culinary Campaign: Being Historical Reminiscences of the Late War. With The Plain Art of Cookery for Military and Civil Institutions by Alexis Soyer

Little had poor Arthur thought when he made that will, honestly trying, I was sure, to repair what he felt to be an injustice, that its consequences might prove so fatal to the man he meant to help.
— from A Master Hand: The Story of a Crime by Richard Dallas

[90] “I have taken the following figures from Sir William’s report and from the gauge records of the Public Works Ministry:— Discharge in Cubic Metres per Second During February, March, and April of the Albert Nile.
— from The Nile in 1904 by Willcocks, William, Sir

Though there were traces of grim Scotch humour in Carlyle, my patron saint and master, Rabelais, or aught like him, had no credit with them.
— from Memoirs by Charles Godfrey Leland