I am an old fellow, and extremely troubled with the gout; but having always a strong vanity towards being pleasing in the eyes of women, I never have a moment's ease, but I am mounted in high-heeled shoes, with a glazed wax-leather instep.

“Well, I’ll be a son-of-a-bitch!” Monty laughed. “You mean you called a pat hand on aces up?”

She stared at Master Mannix with no expression. Somehow, her blanked face did not even flinch.

Several of my soothmoother informants pointed out that the Shetlands were not the only islands to have been visited by the Vikings.