Mr. Cooke at once began a tirade against the residents of Asquith for permitting a sandy and generally disgraceful condition of the roads. So roundly did he vituperate the inn management in particular, and with such a loud flow of words, that I trembled lest he should be heard on the veranda.

Popular and shallow-headed mindes, cannot perceive the grace or comelinesse, nor judge of a smooth and quaint discourse.

What with his moustachios, his long beard, his richly embroidered crimson dress, and his Maltese cross and sword, he would be invaluable.

The meat was still tough even after repeated stewings.