One of the preeminent factors in the psychological and opinion aspect of the turmoil in the mid-twentieth century has been the very sharp contrast between the time on which a given event occurred, the delay between the occurrence of the event and the final understanding of that event in their own terms by the strategic policy-makers affected, and the successful recognition of the event in policy papers looking toward a further future.
— from Psychological Warfare by Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger

They only wanted a good excuse to put their humiliations upon me.
— from The Eternal City by Caine, Hall, Sir

She checked herself, however, and instead asked me, in a voice that only with a great effort she was able to keep firm and cool: "Will you not give your word to leave Spain, Senor Carbonnell?"
— from Sarita, the Carlist by Arthur W. Marchmont

But as it has no keel, when the turn is made sharply, as out of one canal into another very narrow one, the impetus of the boat in its former direction gives it an enormous lee-way, and it drifts laterally up against the wall of the canal, and that so forcibly, that if it has turned at speed, no gondolier can arrest the motion merely by strength or rapidity of stroke of oar; but it is checked by a strong thrust of the foot against the wall itself, the head of the boat being of course turned for the moment almost completely round to the opposite wall, and greater exertion made to give it, as quickly as possible, impulse in the new direction.
— from The Stones of Venice, Volume 2 (of 3), by John Ruskin

There was just an audible twitter of welcome and gratitude exchanged as each new-comer made his appearance.
— from Wild Life Near Home by Dallas Lore Sharp

,’ said the girl politely; and the old woman answered: ‘Good evening, my child.
— from The Orange Fairy Book by Andrew Lang

It was to be written tersely, as was suited to a time of war and general excitement; and to connect it with the war, it was couched in the form of letters purporting to be addressed to an officer in the field, who wished to be kept acquainted with current literature.
— from The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing

The delicate folds of her upper tunic fell closely around her to her knees, and were gathered at the waist by a magnificent belt of wrought gold and pearls; the long sleeves, drawn in at the wrist by clasps of pearls, almost covered her slender hands; and as she walked her delicate feet moved daintily in rich embroidered sandals with high golden heels, below the folds of the wide trousers of white and gold embroidery, gathered in at the ankle.
— from Marzio's Crucifix, and Zoroaster by F. Marion (Francis Marion) Crawford

The other was a girl, equally tall for her sex, beautifully formed, with reddish brown hair and dark blue eyes.
— from Mask of Death by Paul Ernst

We have suffered and groaned under the misrule of 150 years and not one day is to be lost in declaring our will and to see that our wishes are given effect to—that the powers which are in the hands of the Bureaucracy to-day are transferred to the people of the country. (Cheers).
— from India for Indians Enlarged Edition by Chitta Ranjan Das

After that he stopped at the houses of the three old women, and gave each one back her napkin and her cake.
— from The Crimson Fairy Book by Andrew Lang