[…] he bared his breast to whizzing javelins, to hissing arrows, to any and every weapon that promised death and forgetfulness, and rest.

Today's taxidermying is a combination of field work, calipers and Rodin. The hunters who get the animals for the leading museums of natural science bring 'em back dead, but measured within an inch of their lives […]

Well, in the mercy of God we are normally unaware of our personal expiration date.

Silas, now, Esther Whitley had said, would be a good one for you, Hannah. He's a mite on the old side, but he's steady, an' he's been wed before. He knows the ways of a woman better'n some.