*    *    *    *    *

Beach withdrew in that stately, ponderous way of his that always reminded travelers
who knew their Far East of an elephant sauntering through an Indian jungle.

*    *    *    *    *

Silence fell, one of those deep, uneasy silences which occur when all good men
realize that now is the time for them to come to the aid of the party but are
unable to figure out just how to set about doing so.

*    *    *    *    *

Sudden joy affects different people in different ways. Some laugh and sing.
Some leap. Others go about being kind to dogs.

*    *    *    *    *

"Did you ever see him again?"
"No."
"Did he write?"
"Not a word. Just faded away like a dream at daybreak."

*    *    *    *    *

A shudder made the butler's body ripple like a field of wheat
when a summer breeze passes over it.

*    *    *    *    *