Verina was polite with him, where she had wasted no courteous words on Mordec.

Moss showed a scant moment of surprise at Jack's courteous words, but a blink brought back the cold, disdainful mask.

He sent the Pompeians back to their camp with courteous words and an offer of service in his own legions.

"We will come," said Imrahil; and they parted with courteous words.

But the courteous words were themselves significant.

"Na'am," the dervish replied, using the courteous Arabic word for yes.

He murmured a courteous word of surprise at the drenched appearance of the old man and immediately walked out.

"No, never yet, though I thank you for the courteous words."

The king said little: courteous words for those who greeted him, but nothing more.

Even behind the courteous words in ordinary correspondence, the reader can detect a sure hand and forceful personality.