Women are not always what we seem to be. What our reputations would tell you. Nor do we only exist in reference to our fathers, husbands, and sons.

Why did so many die in the night? As though they wished to kiss us and deliver us with sweet dreams before taking their leave of the world.

Even now he could not say in his heart of hearts for which side he would draw his blade when he was finally called upon. What was a child of two worlds to do?

I seem to remember sitting on a golden bench, and she started chattering about the sunset, or something. She seemed quite happy so I let her get on with it. Then she got hold of my hand and asked me what I was thinking about. So I said, “The treatment of anal fistulae”.

Such was the cost of dealing with the Romans: even when one fought against them, the stain of their violence licked and crackled at the soul like a fire about to engulf an entire forest.

But she’s only a woman!” The watch captain shook his head again. “So was Helen of Troy, sir. Look what she started.

Ruso’s working space contained three shelves, a collection of unmatched stools and chairs, an examination table by the window, and a desk whose migratory tendencies had been curbed by a previous incumbent with a hammer and several large nails.

Getting angry with her cousin, she reminded herself, was like getting angry with a sheep for being stupid. It ruined your day and the sheep was too dim to care.

They say opposites attract, but like meets like, too.

Socrates was a wise man. Surveying the goods on a market stall, the great one was said to have remarked, “What a lot of things a man doesn’t need!