But the tale or narrative set in the past may have its particular time-free value; and the candid reader will not misunderstand me, will not suppose that I intend any preposterous comparison, when I observe that Homer was farther removed in time from Troy than I am from the Napoleonic wars; yet he spoke to the Greeks for 2,000 years and more.

I sew his ears on from time to time, sure.

I have often observed that extremely violent noise and activity go with good-fellowship and heightened spirits.

Stephen had spared no expense in making himself more unhappy, his own position as a rejected lover clearer.

... it has always seemed to me that books are the supreme decorations of a room

When you're taking a fence on a horse, you don't think much; your body does all the thinking, and you're over or you're not over. It's much the same when you are doing a tricky thing with a pen. There are times when I'm writing very, very fast.

The Navy speaks in symbols and you may suit what meaning you choose to the words.