Even the writers of encyclopædian articles have, after devoting much space to the elements of civilization as it has been in the past is now viewed by man, balk at a definition and gracefully end their dissertation with the observation that it is an open question.

The employee was put on probation after her latest mistakes and given a short leash.

The camel had been to me but an ungainly and mis-shapen monster, the type of all awkwardness, while a monkey—the caricature animal—or some bejacketed dog, on his back, had fastened the gaunt form in the memory as ludicrous.

Meanwhile, I'm catering for Verity's fifth birthday party on the same day at 2 p.m. – am up to my armpits tonight in honey joys and chocolate crackles! I also have to bake a mermaid cake!