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Putnam's Handbook
OF
Expression
For the Enrichment of Conversation, Writing, and Public Speaking
Compiled by
Edwin Hamlin Garr
G. P. Putnam's Sons
Nbw York London
Zbc tmfcfterbocfter press
COFYRIGHT, IQIS BY
EDWIN HAMLIN CARR Under th* title " The Happy Phrase '
fSbe fttticfeecbocbec I>cefi«« t\cw Cock
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Any Person Who Recognizes Herein One of His Own Original Phrases
Foreword
FOREWORD
So far as I know, there is no book which is distinctively a phrase book. Because of this fact, I have for years been collecting phrases from all sources. Whenever and wherever I have found in any volume, magazine, newspaper, or during conversation, a distinctive phrase I have made a note of it.
This volume is the result of an endeavor to classify these phrases so that the reader may secure a synonymous phrase as, in a book of synonyms, he secures a synonymous word.
It would be difficult for me to give credit for every phrase found in this book. In fact, it would be impossible to determine who are the authors of the larger number of our English phrases. I have, however, found in certain books a number of phrases so distinctive and characteristic that it is only proper to give due credit to the authors.
The novels of Dumas have supplied a great number of phrases for conversation, and I have found good material also in the correspondence of Mrs. Hannah More.
V
Foreword
Many general phrases have been derived from the writings of Thackeray, and the Essays of Samuel McCord Crothers.
For sermonic phrases I have found the writings of the Rev. Thomas Guthrie, D.D., and the Rev. J. H. Jowett, D.D., particularly helpful.
Men who have ability to make new phrases may be pleased to have at hand a book of this kind.
The clergyman who begins his every observa- tion with "It seems to me" and continues "Along that line," will find here a variety of prefatory and introductory phrases.
Teachers who make a habit of adding new words and new phrases to their speech will doubtless find good browsing here.
There is perhaps no more difficult letter to write than one of condolence. A number of phrases are given under this designation, in order to assist in this most difficult and yet most blessed task.
Since we talk in phrases as well as in words, every home needs a phrase book as well as a dictionary.
I wish to make grateful acknowledgment to
James Baldwin, author of The Book Lover, and
to Miss Isobel Stevenson, of the New York City
Public Library, for valuable suggestions con-
vi
Foreword
ceming the arrangement of the book, and to Prof. Charles Knapp, of Barnard College, New York City, for assistance concerning the Foreign Phrases.
E. H. C.
vu
Using the Phrases
USING THE PHRASES
The entire volume should be perused for phrases which appeal to one's taste. These should be marked and memorized, and it will be noticed that they will spring spontaneously to the lips or pen.
A suggestion for a determined effort to use the phrases may be found in R. L. Stevenson's practice of inventing a conversation. He says in his Vailima Letters, vol. i., p. 105:
"Though I write so little, I pass all my hours of field-work in continual converse and imaginary correspondence. I scarce pull up a weed, but I invent a sentence on the matter to yourself; it does not get written; but the intent is there, and for me (in some sort) the companionship. To-day, for instance, we had a great talk. I was toiling, the sweat dripping from my nose, in the hot fit after a squall of rain: methought you asked me — frankly, was I happy. Happy (said I); I was only happy once; that was at Hydras."
Contents
CONTENTS |
|
* |
PAGE |
I.— PHRASES FOR CONVERSATION |
I |
Complimentary of Things |
3 |
Cordiality |
4 |
Courtesy .... |
5 |
Conventional |
7 |
At Weddings . |
7 |
Apologetic |
7 |
Condolence |
8 |
On Leaving a Host . |
8 |
On Being Introduced |
9 |
Congratulatory |
lO |
Commendatory of Persons |
lO |
Critical of Persons |
14 |
Dissent |
. i8 |
Inquiry |
20 |
Prefatory .... |
21 |
Response .... |
. 28 |
Tactflx Response . |
. 36 |
{See General Phrases) |
XI
Contents
II.— GENERAL PHRASES FOR SPEECH WRITING
Conversation .
Commendatory of Things
Critical of Things .
Descriptive of Persons
Descriptive of Things
Determination
Energy .
Egotistic
Figurative
Foreign .
Latin
French Irritation Manly . Militaristic Opposition Optimistic Patriotic Pessimistic Political Prudential Ridicule
xu
AND
Contents
Satisfaction
Suspicion
Terse
III.— PHRASES FOR CLERGYMEN RELIGIOUS WORKERS
Bible Phrases .
Blessings .
Hope
Redemption
Work
Warning .
Unclassified Devotional Hallowed Sermon Phrases
Arraignment .
Consecration .
Hope
Insight
Invitation
Joy .
Kindness .
Love .
Manliness xiii
Contents
PAGB |
|
Redemption |
114 |
Salvation |
114 |
Sorrow .... |
116 |
Sacred .... |
117 |
Victory .... |
118 |
Unclassified |
. 118 |
{See General Phrases) |
|
IV.— PHRASES FOR LETTER WRITERS |
121 |
For Letters of Condolence . |
123 |
For Letters of Thanks . |
131 |
Concluding Clauses |
. 133 |
For Christmas Letters |
. 133 |
For New Year Letters |
■ 134 |
{See Phrases for Conversation) |
|
v.— PHRASES FOR WRITERS AND PUBLIC |
|
SPEAKERS .... |
. 135 |
Introductory Clauses |
. 137 |
{See General Phrases)
VI.— HAPPY COMBINATIONS . . .147 (Unclassified)
VII. — Sample Letters 163
Word Index 167
XIV
I
Phrases for Conversation
Complimentary of Things
COMPLIMENTARY OF THINGS
How delightfully cozy This is the sort of thing' I enjoy I like the idea very much That's simply splendid There is an unfailing charm in it A delightful idea truly I like it prodigiously Is n't that jolly
It bears the stamp of excellence It is worthy of high praise Of first-rate merit I was highly pleased with it It was in the best taste It is worthy of a world of praise It is a beautiful piece of industrial accomplish- ment I call it a delightful spectacle A capital idea Altogether a fine thing A sentiment worthy of emulation A source of constant pleasure A very real asset
With none of the slight faults of immaturity 3
Conversation
It is an uplifting habit
The sight filled me with admiration
Of no ordinary cleverness
It was perfectly splendid
It is a fine instance of
It called forth unqualified admiration
It was strikingly impressive
The result exceeded my most sanguine expecta- tions
The finest flower that ever blossomed
It is an amiable habit by no means to be dis- couraged
CORDIALITY
I am delighted to make your acquaintance, though indeed I seem to know a great deal about you through
I am looking forward to having a good talk with you
It is a great pleasure to me to welcome you
I am very impatient to learn how you are pro- gressing
You are most welcome, I was expecting you
How happy we are to see you, you have become almost a stranger to us
I must have a chat with you soon 4
Courtesy
I am delighted to see you here It is a great pleasure to have met you I would be delighted to talk with you but un- fortunately I am very hurried I trust we shall soon meet again I warmly regret being unable to oblige you 1 am mightily glad to see you
COURTESY
Kindly convey my warmest regards to
I beg your acceptance of my very hearty thanks
for Be so good as to present my most respectful
compliments to You are most kind
Please do not give yourself that trouble I am delighted to have your approbation Tell him that we will do ourselves the pleasure
of calling on him You anticipate my wishes I thank you very much I have great pleasure in being useful to you You are very obliging Permit me to thank you I wish you a pleasant journey On the contrary, I ought to thank you very
heartily
5
Conversation
Please accept this as a slight token of my gratitude
I hope my coming will not put you to any incon- venience
I wish you a safe and pleasant journey
I trust I shall have an opportunity of returning your kindness
I beg you to excuse me
I am sorry it is not in my power
I am very sorry I cannot assist you
I offer my most sincere apology
I wish you good morning
I want to thank you for all your kindness
I am much improved in health, I thank you
Pardon my indiscretion
I do not know how to respond to such kindness
The only recompense I can make you is good will
I thank you for the compliment
I hope you enjoy your usual health
How did he bear his misfortune
I hope you will favor us with a call
Tell me some more particulars
May I give you some assistance
Does the game of please your fancy
May I have the honor of your company
May I ask whether
Will you do me the kindness to
Will you do me the favor to tell me 6
Conventional — Apologetic
Is not this a characteristic of How do you understand it
What has procured me so flattering a distinction To whom is he indebted for the place Aren't 3'ou going Did you say that you were there I thank you for 3'our kind inquiries Don't let me detain 3'ou for doubtless you have engagements
CONVENTIONAL— At Weddings
I wish you much joy
Let me wish you even' happiness
I wish to offer you my heartiest congratulations
I congratulate you heartily on the good fortune
that is yours to-da}' Kindly accept my sincerest good wishes It is impossible to vrish you any greater good
fortune than 3-ou have had to-day Please accept my congratulations Hearty congratulations
CONVENTIONAL— Apologetic
I must apologize for my stupidity This is quite unforgivable, I fear I am very awk^^ard, pray forgive me 7
Conversation
I beg you will excuse me
I regret that I cannot assist you
It is with no small regret that
I am exceedingly sorry that your request comes to me at a time when I am so pressed by my own affairs, that I cannot, with any conven- ience, comply with it
I offer my most sincere apology
Pardon my indiscretion
CONVENTIONAL— Condolence
Kindly accept my sincere esteem and sympathy
I beg to offer my profound sympathy
We all share in your loss, and you have my
deepest sympathy I sympathize with you in your great affliction I wish to assure you of my heartfelt sympathy I could not refrain from assuring you in person
of my sincerest sympathy We can all splendidly trust God in life, no matter
what its vicissitudes, if we but feel that we
are drawn nearer to Him Please accept my sincere condolences
CONVENTIONAL— On Leaving a Host
This has been a delightful occasion This has been a most enjoyable evening 8
Conventional — Being Introduced
I am under the greatest obligation to you for a
charming evening I have enjoyed this Httle glimpse of you very
much This has been a most agreeable experience It has been deHghtful to have you with us I hope you may be persuaded to come again I vdsh. you were not going quite so soon Come to see us again before you leave town I trust you will repeat this experience at some
future date I want to make my parting compliments
CONVENTIONAL— Ox Being Introduced
I am very happy to meet you
It is a great pleasure to meet you
I am deHghted to know you
I am sure the pleasure is mine also
I was not clever enough to catch j^otir name
Thank you, I appreciate your kindly thought of
me It has been a great pleasure to have met you I am delighted to make your acquaintance,
though indeed I seem to know a great deal
about you through You are most kind It is a great pleasure It is good of you to say so 9
Conversation
CONGRATULATORY
I cannot refrain from expressing my admiring
appreciation of You are to be congratulated upon the I wish to congraulate you, and express my ap- preciation of Will you permit me to make an acknowledg- ment of appreciation to you for Permit me to make appreciative acknowledg- ments of Please accept my congratulations upon your ' Since the news of the joy that has happened to you reached me, I have been anxious to write you a word of congratulation I congratulate you on the very fortunate oppor- tunity which presents itself I had the great pleasure of hearing that I take this opportunity of assuring you that It is with great pleasure I hear of your safe arrival
COMMENDATORY OF PERSONS
He is a perpetual surprise even to those who
know him best She is a charming person to set people at their
ease He is a noble character
10
Commendatory of Persons
She talked beautifiilly
He is a man of many fascinations
He has a fine face full of vigor
He is very patient . nd very brave
We have beautiful neighbors
I never have seen you looking in better health
You are looking as lovely as usual
They form a delightful group
How lovely these are
With him there is little seeking after effect
I ^ways thought the hour struck sooner in your
home than any^^here else It is an evidence of good breeding He possesses the rare faculty of She is without a shadow of affectation He is incapable of hurting any one's feelings He possesses a masterly understanding of the
subject You have a very helpful suggestion He is irresistibly funny He is imcommonly quick He has a genuine aptitude for business A man whose merit equals his reputation He acquitted himself admirably He possesses a good deal of homely dignity He has the talent of dispensing pleasure He is finely qualified by exceptional educational
advantages
II
Conversation
She is a very tender and indulgent mother
He is full of generous sympathies
He has considerable colloquial talents
He has a sunny temperament
He is quite an adroit flatterer
He seems to have an inexhaustible supply of
affection His modesty is worthy of wide imitation He is brimming over with new ideas He gives you a jolly shake of the hand He has a wonderfiil gift of making friends He has a circle of interesting friends There is something very likable about him He is truly regardful of the interests of
others He cultivates the amenities and civilities He understands the art of making allowances He would shun to break the bounds of courtesy His polite best
He is above the meanness of tale-bearing He spoke in language clear and expressive in the
highest degree He spoke with his accustomed felicity of lan- guage It was a very neat and appropriate expression He labored in a simple and straightforward
manner to He possesses nerves that seem to be of iron
12
Commendatory of Persons
He is one who can do the thinking for a common- wealth
He has a character of sterling excellence
He is of consequence in the world
She is a model of propriety
There is an indefinable charm about her
He has an air of businesslike decisiveness
He is a facile talker
He is a plain frugal man
He is untinged by prejudice
He has a taste for polite conversation
He discharged his difficult task admirably
He was actuated by the most laudable motives
He never fimibles
He is always in such perfect good humor
He behaved ver}^ handsomely
He has calm good sense
He did it with good grace
He fitted his environment perfectly
You could not apply to any one better able than he
He made a most delightful impression
He is chock-full of fine sentiment
My fieart warms toward him
He is a person whom I always recall with plea- sure
His letters are full of heartiness
He has such a kindly and sympathetic spirit 13
Conversation
He is every whit a man's man
He has fine manners
He acted as one to the manor bom
May his tribe increase
He impressed me prodigiously
He has the highest ideals of fine, clean, strong manhood
She is possessed with the most delicate intui- tions
He possesses a certain suavity of manner
She is of exceptional personal beauty
He is above the average in point of conver- sation
He took the hugest pains to accommodate us
There is no more noble and beautiful character than she
There was something captivating in his man- ner
He was eloquent without being declamatory
You will go a long way before you find a better man
CRITICAL OF PERSONS
He is a rather crabbed specimen of humanity He gives me qualms He is insufferably tiresome 14
Critical of Persons
I would as soon take Beelzebub himself into my
plans I can nowise explain what sort of whim, prank,
or perv^ersity it was that induced him to
act thus Unhappily one is so fettered by What utter bosh it all is for him to He is bereft of his senses He is a selfish, graceless thankless person He is insufferably mean He is an odious old reprobate He makes such idiotic excuses His appearance is peculiarly forbidding You will receive the passport to disfavor if you He is in constant danger of becoming mean
and sordid We are not all of that ilk The suspicion arises in at least some minds, that
the reprehensible art of h'ing has several
practitioners in this country IMen who scold and whine, and prophesy ill He is not able to get the right perspective We are quite reluctant to follow his lead He has no ground of complaint He will have about his ears a unanimous chorus
of derision and bitterness He presented a series of lame apologies He is in no small degree responsible for 15
Conversation
He is exceedingly dull He cuts a sorry figure His manner lacks sincerity without which no
one can be truly agreeable He is the prey of every passing circumstance He is positively without a spark of humor He is ponderously dull He lapsed into arrant triviality He emphasizes the defects
He has a great propensity for running into debt He fails to see the need of making plentiful
provision His message might have been more fitly worded He has no sense of the fitness of things More foolish words were never spoken in reply
to a serious argument His conclusions are hopelessly detached from
his premises He is quite incapable of generous sentiments The real difficulty against which he has butted
head down is I am in a critical spirit The theory has gone into bankruptcy- It is cheap and ignorant talk He is stupidly over-confident I asked him how he could vindicate such an
enormity He is a derelict of mankind i6
Critical of Persons
He is an acrimonious critic
He has the baneful habit of
He is a mere bungler
He has a desert in his mind
He is apt to be malicious
He has a sullen and uncommunicable disposition
A man who never had a taste or emotion but what was sordid
He is over-quick in reproof
He richly deserves his fate
A village pest /
More nice than wise
An insufferable bore
A wearisome grumbler ^- -
A devilish insinuating way of
A most inadequate notion of
Altog^her discreditable
I will not use terms of endearment
He takes himself and his cause always with equal seriousness
Equally bad
He is handling the affair with a mixture of su- pineness and imbecility
He follows the line of least resistance
He unwittingly plays into the hands of the enemy
He is full of moral cowardice and dissimu- lation
17
Conversation
He lives in his little provincial world
He has never given a hint of practical value
He is always whimpering for help
His thoughts are always vague and ill-defined
He is a lazy, lolling sort of human
That was a sensible admonition directed against
his silly talk He is charged with exaggeration if not willful
distortion of the facts of the case
DISSENT
I protested in vain
It would simply freeze my blood if
I was awakened for the first time to its full sig- nificance when
In which case I should remonstrate
It is enough to turn one's brain
That's the very thing I complain of
What hurt my feelings was that nothing I could say would do any good
It is monstrous
It is shocking
The very heart and soul of justice have been plucked out of her unresisting carcass
It is a stupid thing to do, to my mind, and I don't see the point
It is preposterous
i8
Dissent
It's absurd
I remonstrated at the time
It is certainly not a very pleasant thing to
think that I cannot refrain from expressing my regret
that I am distracted with the cares of It is really heartbreaking to see It is very annoying to me I can scarcely credit it The uncertainty is irritating It puts me in a decidedly awkward position He gave no very gracious consent I fervently hope not Decidedly not Figures don't lie, but often they do not speak
plain enough to be understood at the
first hearing You can ill afford to I loathe it
I was exceedingly mortified that He might have sat for a picture of insensibility I assure you such is not the case It is scarcely worth raising our heads to look at I was nervous at the thought of it There is danger of an embarrassing rupture He was not slow in expressing his disgust at the
conduct of
19
Conversation
I care not a fig who knows it
It is a sore thing for me to have to do this
Heaven forbid that such a thing should come
to pass I know precisely what it signifies I think it would be quite inadvisable to do so He cotdd out-slang the boldest bargeman The pitiful thing about it all is It is a manifest absurdity- It is in a bad way
The statement is the merest nonsense The latest and most absurd theory is I hate, abhor, sicken at it
I want most emphatically to disclaim any in- tention of
INQUIRY
What course shall you take to get your money?
What do you know of his history?
Where shall I be likely to find him?
What has he there?
Have 5^ou any news?
What kind of man is he?
When do you leave?
Where do you intend to settle?
Have you had luncheon?
May I have an apple?
20
Prefatory
Will you obey me?
Have you had any tidings of your brother?
What did you observe?
In what part of the country do you live?
Where are you staying?
We spent an agreeable evening together.
PREFATORY
As luck would have it, I
To be candid, I
It seems a positive calamity that
Do you seriously imagine that
No one could be so rash as to assert that
I am satisfied that
I strongly suspect that
I fancy that
Further than this
Paradoxical as it may seem
I dare say that
It is with great pleasure that
It would ill become me to remark that
For instance
The redeeming feature of it all is
Quite by chance, I
I have been wondering whether
In all probability we
It is not likely that
21
Conversation
Luckily I
It is a singular coincidence that
I took particular pains to notice whether
It is with problems such as these that
How very fortunate it is that
It is a particular piece of good fortune that
he As a matter of fact None the less, I It can be admitted too that Certain it is that
In some quarters it is believed that If that be the case, I I confess I look with some alarm at I have the great good fortune to have heard
that I realize afresh that The art of arts is I flatter myself that
It is from the heart that I can request that I am perfectly convinced that The full gravity of the situation is seen in the
fact that Regardless of any thing I said I am painfully conscious that I wasn't by any means sure I It dawned upon him gradually that It is seldom that
22
Prefatory
We may be quite sure that I have repeatedly said that It cannot but carry with it instant conviction
that By some mischance, I Prior to this, we I was greatly elated to find that I am heartily glad that I know the nicest little secret I had a happy thought to-day I cannot but realize that It is scarcely conceivable that Frankly, I
It is intellectually unthinkable that On the other hand I appreciate most deeply the I am devoutly thankful for At all events None the less Hitherto Furthermore Further than that Nevertheless Notwithstanding In the meantime Frequently the In all candor I rather apprehend that 23
Conversation
I have sometimes thought that
It must be owned too, that
I scarcely feel as if I
I rather imagine that
To this day I hardly know whether I
A very striking proof of the fact is
I will hazard the observation that
On the other hand
You have made me curious. Tell me of it
I have news for you
May I give you an instance
It is quite indifferent to me whether I
He used frequently to observe that
What is the explanation? It is simplicity
itself Now that I am a little seasoned I I have heard him often lament that You may guess what luck I regret extremely that It would have been quite out of the question
for us to Recently I came across this I was about to inquire what you thought of I have the deepest veneration for He has conceived the happy idea of I suppose the inference we are expected to draw
is I am confident of one thing that 24
Prefatory
My principal motive for acting thus was I am fully aware that I perceive, moreover, that It is surely true that I marvel that I sometimes fancy that I humbly conceive that I apprehend that
Of course, I am perfectly aware that I presume that
There are pretty certain indications that It often amazes me that It seems hardly probable that I afiSrm that
I have the consolation to hope that It is still permitted us to hope that It would be futile to deny that It is reasonable to assume that There is no prospect that In these circumstances it I suppose that I warrant that
I confess I am not indifferent to I shrink instinctively from I confess a less and less relish for I am impatient and querulous under It is a sort of presumption to expect that I cannot imagine to mj^self 25
Conversation
I have a kindly yearning toward
I heartily approve of
I do not advert to
I have long believed that
It has long been the fashion to
I have been falsely assuring everybody that
One cannot help noticing that
There are plenty of evidences that
The difference, I take it, is this
The fact of the matter is
If I rightly remember
It is a just cause for praise that
It was a happy circumstance for me that
I wish with all my heart that
I am grateful to find that
I devoutly wish it may prove to be that he
It is not to be supposed that
My attention has been directed to the
I have a mental reservation with regard to
A very affecting circumstance happened yester- day
I have a story worth telling
I had the rare distinction of
I had a very civil note from
If I may hazard a conjecture, I should rathei think
It was unusual for me to
He seems to be obsessed with the idea that 26
Prefatory
There is but a thousand-to-one chance that
It is an open secret that
I have an impression that
I informed you wrongly when I said that
If I mistake not, I beheve that
If I may use the expression I think that
Quite regardless of m}^ remark, you
I had the inexpressible comfort of knowing
that He made a touching proof of his regard by I flatter myself that
Is it not a great mercy to have such a helper? Again and again, I Inadvertently, I
I felt like uttering a mild disclaimer when I have little predilection for I had the rare satisfaction of I was strangely moved when I heard that There is a certain distinctive advantage in I was amazed to find that In my poor judgment, I I hold in all seriousness that Has the tide of victor}' set in your favor? By what magic have you found out the secrets
of We have plumed ourselves upon our ability
to
27
Conversation
RESPONSE
It is good of you to say so
He is to be most warmly felicitated
I have fallen into splendid hands
How nicely you put that
How lovely of you
Those friends of yours are delightful people
He is able to extract comfort and pleasure out of
hard experiences You decide rightly
I was received with the utmost kindness I am quite delighted Permit me to compliment you How consoling you are I was never more entertained You got out of that rather neatly It is like talking the art of war before Hannibal I quite agree with you Very luckily for me You have not guessed rightly With all my heart We acquiesce
That tends to confirm my opinion I will make ample allowance Don't give way to such a fancy How unfortunate
I am glad to hear such good tidings of 28
Response
I am a sort of amateur Father-Confessor, you
know I am not as strong as I fancied myself A very extraordinary measure I confess A day that I still recall with pleasure We haggled about the price I fear I cannot go
Surely none of us would relish such treatment He deems it well worth while I can make a guess as to the probable results I think it is about time to tincture our ideals
with common sense It is most refreshing You have rightly judged She was strangely diffident He responded so good-naturedly He should be highly thankful Our effort was futile enough Very rarely Quite likely Unquestionably We have ample time Quite frequently
It is all the most ardent supporter could wish Fortimately there is still a more excellent way I'm afraid he started the day in a contradictory
mood He is never very closely confined to the facts 29
Conversation
It is a sore trial to his temper
The paper gives a beggarly account of the affair
I think I can do it without danger of repro- bation
I am trying to help him compose his difficulties
He did it in all good faith
I had the simple satisfaction of knowing that
He is suffering from a confusion of ideas
The exceptions are so few as to be negligible
It is not expedient for us to do otherwise
It was too sore a subject for levity
I reciprocate your good wishes
The matter was brought to a satisfactory termination
It was real stupid of me
It completely surpasses my comprehension
It caused me a thousand apprehensions
The odds seem overwhelmingly against them
I think she is a wee bit jealous
He is a miserable victim of anxiety
I am afraid he will be taught by many a sore and scalding lesson
It is decidedly htimorous
I am open to suggestion
It would neither remove nor confirm my doubts
I hate all ostentation
Upon subsequent occasions he was very affable 30
Response
Heaven knows how or when
If they could be convinced it would be a godsend
Much to our profit and delight
It is the only possible course
Not that I know
I do not wish for any
It is a matter of no importance
He is sick but not in danger
He is in feeble health
We suffered great hardships
Had I known it, I
[ do not remember
[ will summon him
I should have liked very much to have seen him
I have seen him
I admit you've provocation for it
I cannot recollect
I have finished
I asstire you he was very much astonished
Thank you for your cheering words
You give me more credit than I deserve
Forgive me all my delinquencies
I cannot find words to express the intense
pleasure I have always in I appreciate keenly the favor you have shown
me It was delightful I assure you It is really a pleasure to assist you 31
Conversation
You have great reason to congratulate yourself
on I supposed that it was he whom you meant I supposed it to be me whom you meant I do not know that I can. I wish I were able to I should not have intruded on you at this hour You would do me such a service I could scarce
repay With pleasure I am quite delighted I am ardently wishing for it I imagine it must have been he I am not sure I rightly understand I am happy to think so Yes, I quite understand how it happened Fortunately so
We were fortunate enough to find one I wish it were true I was taken aback for the moment Receive my sincere congratulations I am delighted to hear you say so I am most grateful to you Most assuredly It was very thoughtful of you I feel indebted for your kindness I will rejoin you directly It would be the culmination of my fondest hopes
to see
32
Response
I should think it to be ver}' much to one's
advantage to A pleasant coincidence happened recently of
which I must tell you Be that as it may, I If the truth must be told, I It is nothing less than marv^elous that I exerted myself much to make him cheerfti) He was inflexible to all entreaty I am not at all solicitous about it It is not very conspicuous I acquiesce Certain tmforeseen emergencies arose to hinder
me In spite of statements to the contrary I think
that In the long run, I One can be thankful enough for I hope your anticipations will be realized I had gratifying success In no manner of way Of the finest sort Its plausibility cannot be denied I intend to gratify my curiosity some day He has the unhappy knack of saying things
that are not so I can give no adequate explanation of it I feel amply repaid for my effort 3 33
Conversation
We consider it a huge joke
It was a matter of no consequence
That is really interesting
The news is decidedly reassuring
It is most extraordinary
It was altogether delightful
It is exceptionally good
The result exceeded my fondest expectations
We were delighted beyond measure
Bless your heart, yes
I am entirely callous
I feel that I have no more backbone than a
jellyfish That is far from being the whole truth This merits reflection Indeed, to a refreshing degree I will endeavor to be strictly impartial I am luckily disengaged to-day I confess that there is something very sensible
about that view What you tell me is simply astounding At present there is no indication of such a
millennium I have been inexorable to all invitations Certain unforeseen emergencies arose to hinder
me I suspect you know all about it I think his course is very unjustifiable 54
Response
I do not doubt that he will be here
He expects to get off to-morrow
I regard him as being the cleverest man of my
acquaintance He has given them no pecuniary assistance for
some time His affairs are in a bad condition He fled the city It is nothing else than agreed We happened to be present on the occasion He is a man of small means I purpose leaving for home in the morning He would not believe but that I did it She is a widowed woman It was a long discussion I will go no farther I have nothing further to say I met a rather agreeable woman at dinner A lady, a friend of mine, told me I have asked two or three ladies and several mem I expect two or three gentlemen It has been a delightfully agreeable day This is a fine morning
I have neither eaten nor drunk anything to-day It looks as if it would rain This is the largest of all I have seen That kind of apples is best We are likely to have a fine day 35
Conversation