As a campaigning politician, he really knew how to shake hands, kiss babies, and work the room.

The womb of earth the genial seed receives.

“Well, Norman, I'm delighted,” he said, taking Mailer's arm for a moment as if, God and knightdom willing, Mailer had finally become a Harvard dean and could be addressed by the appropriate limb.

The most common mineral that causes swelling soil is smectite (montmorillonite).