In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result.

They thought he was possessed by evil spirits.

[…] you get the least pull on his mouth with your elbow, and can hold the bundled circingle with your left hand. With your right, lower the strap end of circingle slowly down his off side, taking care that it doesn't flap about.

She walked into the waiting-room of the ferry, and up the stairs, and by a marvellous swift, little run, caught the ferry-boat that was just going out.