Quick Excerpts, from a Library of 492 Titles

Generated 2022-07-28 13:25:53

Excerpt #1, from A Sub and a Submarine: The Story of H.M. Submarine R19 in the Great War

…the rusty iron knocker. CHAPTER XXII When the Light Failed After considerable delay the door was opened ajar by a diminutive, white-haired old man, who demanded in a quavering voice the names and business of the callers. “We wish to see M. Vladimir Klostivitch on private affairs,” replied the Sub. “It is useless to give one’s names, for we are unknown to your master. You can inform him that we are comrades from England.” “I am Vladimir Klostivitch,” announced the old man. “Be pleased to enter.” “I am sorry to have made a mistake,” said Fordyce apologetically. “It is nothing,” rejoined Klostivitch. “Can I offer you tea? Excuse the fact that I am alone in the house. Please be seated.” The room into which Fordyce and his companion were shown was a large low-ceilinged place, devoid of a fire-place. It was well heated, warmth being obtained by means of a large closed-in stove in the centre of the room, over which was a bed-box, similar to those extensively used by the muzhiks in the smaller towns and villages of central Russia. The furniture consisted of a massive table, two arm-chairs and a few smaller ones, a plain sideboard, and a tall…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #2, from Gallipoli Diary, Volume 1, by Ian Hamilton

…evening sun. The enemy let us slip off without shot fired. The last boat-load got aboard the Goliath at 4 p.m., but they had forgotten some of their kit, so the Bluejackets rowed ashore as they might to Southsea pier and brought it off for them–and again no shot fired! Hove to off Cape Helles at quarter past five. Joyous confirmation of Sedd-el-Bahr capture and our lines run straight across from “X” to Morto Bay, but a very sad postscript now to that message: Doughty Wylie has been killed leading the sally from the beach. The death of a hero strips victory of her wings. Alas, for Doughty Wylie! Alas, for that faithful disciple of Charles Gordon; protector of the poor and of the helpless; noblest of those knights ever ready to lay down their lives to uphold the fair fame of England. Braver soldier never drew sword. He had no hatred of the enemy. His spirit did not need that ugly stimulant. Tenderness and pity filled his heart and yet he had the overflowing enthusiasm and contempt of death which alone can give troops the volition to attack when they have been crouching so long under a pitiless fire. Doughty Wylie was no flash-in-the-pan V.C. winner. He was a steadfast hero. Years ago, at Aleppo, the mingled chivalry and daring with which he placed his own body as a shield between the Turkish soldiery and their victims during a time of massacre made him admired even by the Moslems. Now; as he would have wished to…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #3, from The Art of Conversation: Twelve Golden Rules, by Josephine Turck Baker

…play together? He.–To my thinking, conversation is most delightful when it is most unlike an orchestra. For my part, I prefer those charming duos where the sweet voice of the soprano rises “far above the organ’s swell.” She.–Conversation is more often like an orchestra where all the instruments play together, and where no particular one can be heard. I see that a conversation in which many take part is not to your liking. He.–As in music, so with my friends, I prefer to follow the individual; to come into harmony with his thoughts and feelings. The trite saying that corporations have no souls can be applied with equal propriety to a body of individuals at a social function, where the bored look on their faces shows that they have failed to find a subject of general interest, and are in consequence suffering in durance vile. She.–Conversation is enjoyable only when the participants are equally interested in the subject under discussion; and while it is not difficult for two persons to find topics of mutual interest, it is not so easy for several individuals to “hit upon” some topic in which all are equally interested; consequently, there is much greater opportunity for enjoyment in social converse where only two are “gathered together.” He.–Yes, I know; no matter how apparently dry a subject is to me, it…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #4, from The Secret Service, the Field, the Dungeon, and the Escape, by Albert D. Richardson

…General Halleck has expelled all the correspondents from the army, on the plea that he must exclude “unauthorized hangers-on,” to keep spies out of his camps. His refusal to accept any guaranties of their loyalty and prudence, even from the President himself, proves that this plea was a shallow subterfuge. The real trouble is, that Halleck is not willing to have his conduct exhibited to the country through any other medium than official reports. “As false as a bulletin,” has passed into a proverb. The journalists received invitations to remain, from friends holding commissions in the army, from major-generals down to lieutenants; but, believing their presence just as legitimate and needful as that of any soldier or officer, they determined not to skulk about camps like felons, but all left in a body. Their individual grievances are nothing to the public; but this is a grave issue between the Military Power and the rights of the Press and the People. CHAPTER XXII. —-Whose tongue Outvenoms all the worms of Nile.–CYMBELINE. [Sidenote: BLOODTHIRSTINESS OF REBEL WOMEN.] No history of the war is likely to do full justice to the bitterness of the Rebel women. Female influence tempted thousands of young men to enter the Confederate service against their own wishes and sympathies….

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #5, from Argonaut stories, by Jerome Hart

…first-mate–well–his people on the other side of the continent lived a different sort of life, went in for another and more conventional style of thing. So did the people of the girl he had meant to make mistress of his beautiful sugar plantation. He had been in love with her since his school-days at home–pretty much ever since he could remember, so far as that went. But it had obviously been out of the question to expect her to marry a deck-hand. He had stopped writing to her before long. It had been better for her. As for himself–it didn’t matter much. His own life was very thoroughly spoiled, anyway. And the girl had married–a man of her own sort, which he himself had ceased to be. He owed all that to Stanwood. He owed a good deal to Stanwood. He had always intended to pay it some day, too–at the first chance that should present itself. Was this the chance? Perhaps. Evidently wrong-doing had not prospered Stanwood. He had probably come out with that degraded, dirty gang, in that “lanch” which stunk of bilge water and other filth beyond a white man’s stomach almost, for no other reason than to get an opportunity to stow, or to ask a passage up–as Marsden himself had been obliged to ask five years before. He would not try it now, of course. He had nerve enough for about anything, but hardly enough for that. He would have to wait at…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #6, from Shakespeare’s Sonnets, by William Shakespeare

…To him that bears the strong offence’s cross. Ah! but those tears are pearl which thy love sheds, And they are rich and ransom all ill deeds. XXXV No more be griev’d at that which thou hast done: Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud: Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun, And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud. All men make faults, and even I in this, Authorizing thy trespass with compare, Myself corrupting, salving thy amiss, Excusing thy sins more than thy sins are; For to thy sensual fault I bring in sense,– Thy adverse party is thy advocate,– And ’gainst myself a lawful plea commence: Such civil war is in my love and hate, That I an accessary needs must be, To that sweet thief which sourly robs from me. XXXVI Let me confess that we two must be twain, Although our undivided loves are one:…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #7, from Guide to Fortune Telling, by Dreams, by Anonymous

…destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the United States and you are located in the United States, we do not…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #8, from A Parody Outline of History, by Donald Ogden Stewart

…dissipation was accentuated by the neatly trimmed black beard. His erect military bearing–his neat, well fitting uniform–but above all his frank open face proclaimed him a man’s man–a man among men. A cheer burst from the lips of the onlookers and the brave but modest general lowered his eyes and blushed as he acknowledged their greeting. “Men and women,” he said, in a voice which although low, one could see was accustomed to being obeyed, “I thank you for your cheers. It makes my heart rejoice to hear them, for I know you are not cheering me personally but only as one of the many men who are fighting for the cause of liberty and freedom, and for—-” the general’s voice broke a little, but he mastered his emotion and went on–“for the flag we all love.” At this he pulled from his pocket an American flag and held it up so that all could see. Cheer after cheer rent the air, and tears came to the general’s eyes at this mark of devotion to the common cause. “Wipe the d–d rebels off the face of the earth, G-d d–’em,” shouted a too enthusiastic member of the crowd who, I fear, was a little the worse for drink. In an instant General Grant had stepped up to him and fixed upon him those fearless blue eyes. “My man,” said the general, "It hurts me to hear you give vent to those oaths, especially in the presence of ladies. Soldiers do not curse, and…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #9, from The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James

…My hand was on my friend’s arm, but she failed for the moment, confronted with such an account of the matter, to respond to my pressure. She communed, on the contrary, on the spot, with her uneasiness. “And where’s Master Miles?” “Oh, he’s with Quint. They’re in the schoolroom.” “Lord, miss!” My view, I was myself aware—and therefore I suppose my tone—had never yet reached so calm an assurance. “The trick’s played,” I went on; “they’ve successfully worked their plan. He found the most divine little way to keep me quiet while she went off.” “‘Divine’?” Mrs. Grose bewilderedly echoed. “Infernal, then!” I almost cheerfully rejoined. “He has provided for himself as well. But come!” She had helplessly gloomed at the upper regions. “You leave him—?” “So long with Quint? Yes—I don’t mind that now.” She always ended, at these moments, by getting possession of my hand, and in this manner she could at present still stay me. But after gasping an instant at my sudden resignation, “Because of your letter?” she eagerly brought out. I quickly, by way of answer, felt for my letter, drew it forth, held it up, and then, freeing myself, went and laid it on the great hall table….

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #10, from Let’s Get Together, by Isaac Asimov

…could the humanoids pass our security provisions? How could they get together?" “But they are getting together! We’re helping them to do so. We’re ordering them to do so. Our scientists visit the other side, Breckenridge. They visit Them regularly. You made a point of how strange it was that no one in robotics did. Well, ten of those scientists are still there and in their place, ten humanoids are converging on Cheyenne.” “That’s a ridiculous guess.” “I think it’s a good one, Breckenridge. But it wouldn’t work unless we knew humanoids were in America so that we would call the conference in the first place. Quite a coincidence that you brought the news of the humanoids and suggested the conference and suggested the agenda and are running the show and know exactly which scientists were invited. Did you make sure the right ten were included?” “Dr. Lynn!” cried Breckenridge in outrage. He poised to rush forward. Lynn said, "Don’t move. I’ve got a blaster here. We’ll just wait for the scientists to get here one by one. One by one we’ll X-ray them. One by one, we’ll monitor them for radioactivity. No two will get together without being checked, and if all five hundred are clear, I’ll give you my blaster and surrender to you. Only I think we’ll find the ten…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #11, from Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen

…few days, was probably as great an object of her curiosity as all the celebrated beauties of Matlock, Chatsworth, Dovedale, or the Peak. Elizabeth was excessively disappointed; she had set her heart on seeing the Lakes, and still thought there might have been time enough. But it was her business to be satisfied—and certainly her temper to be happy; and all was soon right again. With the mention of Derbyshire there were many ideas connected. It was impossible for her to see the word without thinking of Pemberley and its owner. “But surely,” said she, “I may enter his county with impunity, and rob it of a few petrified spars without his perceiving me.” The period of expectation was now doubled. Four weeks were to pass away before her uncle and aunt’s arrival. But they did pass away, and Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, with their four children, did at length appear at Longbourn. The children, two girls of six and eight years old, and two younger boys, were to be left under the particular care of their cousin Jane, who was the general favourite, and whose steady sense and sweetness of temper exactly adapted her for attending to them in every way—teaching them, playing with them, and loving them….

More: Read or Listen on IA →

Excerpt #12, from A History of Indian Philosophy, Volume 1, by Surendranath Dasgupta

…appear as a ghost or a bird, so these elements though not themselves blue make themselves appear as blue (nîlam upâdâ rûpam), not yellow, red, or white make themselves appear as yellow, red or white (odâtam upâdârûpam), so on account of their similarity to the appearances created by the magician they are called mahâbhûta [Footnote ref 4]." In the Sa@myutta Nikâya we find that the Buddha says, “O Bhikkhus it is called rûpam because it manifests (rûpyati); how ___________________________________________________________________ [Footnote 1: Sa@myutta Nikâya, III. 86, etc.] [Footnote 2: Abhidhammatthasangaha, J.P.T.S. 1884, p. 27 ff.] [Footnote 3: _Dhammasa@nga@ni_, pp. 124-179.] [Footnote 4: Atthasâlinî, p. 299.] 95 does it manifest? It manifests as cold, and as heat, as hunger and as thirst, it manifests as the touch of gnats, mosquitos, wind, the sun and the snake; it manifests, therefore it is called rûpa [Footnote ref 1].” If we take the somewhat conflicting passages referred to above for our consideration and try to combine them so as to understand what is meant by rûpa, I think we find that that which manifested…

More: Read or Listen on IA →

A production of Friendlyskies.net