Iris went away to boil water or something, and Claire had time to investigate the shabby finery of the room. It was sad if you looked at it one way, almost Havishamesque.

Some of the more witch-hunty questions were subsequently withdrawn — e.g., How many NPR staff have previously worked for Pacifica stations?

Other costs associated with selling a home include surveyor's fees, legal fees, estate agent's commission, stamp duty and the VAT.

[I]t [opium] is a double-edged sword, a divine gift in the hands of a master, a poison in those of a mere routinist—a medicaster—a demi-physician.