Already so many watery lines had been traced, in the course of these fluctuating negotiations, that a few additional records would be if necessary, as rapidly effaced as the rest.
The commissioners, after whispering in each other's, ears for a few minutes, refused to put down anything in writing.

Protocols, they said, only engendered confusion.
"No, no," said the Prince, in reply, "we will have nothing except in black and white.

Otherwise things will be said on both sides, which will afterwards be interpreted in different ways.

Nay, it will be denied that some important points have been discussed at all.

We know that by experience.