Like other men who have little religion, Mr. Paul Dangerfield had a sort of vague superstition. He was impressible by omens, though he scorned his own weakness, and sneered at, and quizzed it sometimes in the monologues of his ugly solitude.

Algebra is not a spoken language like French or Spanish, it is a math language.

When you're feeling in the dumps Don't be silly chumps Just purse your lips and whistle – that's the thing.

Shall I slip into something more comfortable? she said breathily.