It looked something like a pen wiper and something like a piece of hearth-rug. A second and keener inspection revealed it as a Pekinese puppy.

As for Gussie Finknottle, many an experienced undertaker would have been deceived by his appearance and started embalming on sight.

The least thing upset him on the links. He missed short putts because of the uproar of the butterflies in the adjoining meadows.

Sudden success in golf is like the sudden acquisition of wealth. It is apt to unsettle and deteriorate the character.

The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.

[He] saw that a peculiar expression had come into his nephew's face; an expression a little like that of a young hindu fakir who having settled himself on his first bed of spikes is beginning to wish that he had chosen one of the easier religions.

It would take more than long-stemmed roses to change my view that you're a despicable cowardy custard and a disgrace to a proud family. Your ancestors fought in the Crusades and were often mentioned in despatches, and you cringe like a salted snail at the thought of appearing as Santa Claus before an audience of charming children who wouldn't hurt a fly. It's enough to make an aunt turn her face to the wall and give up the struggle.