Oh! I wasted most of my morning crawling to a murmuration of starlings, which I foolishly mistook for congregation of plover.

Pa's awfully cranky, Mrs. Cox said resignedly. He's always been that way! You cook him corn beef hash—that's the night he wanted pork chops; never give someone corn beef hash when he wants pork chops sometimes he'll snap your head off if you speak.

a lover of fine wines

Oh! Richard of Bury, I sighed, for a sharp stone from your sling to pierce with indignant sarcasm the mental armour of these college dullards.