Moreover, it showed wisest balance from base to brow; with the face free of beard and mustache, while the yellow hair owned no taint of curl--altogether an American head on Farnese shoulders refined.
Richard made no speed with his dressing.

What with refusing several waistcoats--a fastidiousness which opened the slant eyes of Matzai, being unusual--and what with pausing to smoke a brooding cigar, it stood roundly twelve before he was ready for the street.

One need not call Richard lazy.

He was no one to retire or to rise with the birds; why should he?
"Early to bed and early to rise" is a tradition of the copybooks.

It did well when candlelight was cheap at a dollar the dozen, but should not belong to a day of electricity no dearer than the sun.
Before going out, Richard crossed to a writing cabinet and pressed a button, the white disk whereof showed in its mahogany side.