“...As for this thing”, ... he held up the shuttlecock, contaminated, in his outstretched right [hand], “this idiot tickler, the only thing it's good for is eeny-meeny-miney-mo”.

Fine embroidery, especially gold threadwork, was of course a specialised skill, done for rich patrons, not the stitchcraft of hovels.

It is evident […] that we ought to find every degree of salination of salt lakes.

Now, they want me to send up a confidential person with some writings.