Middle-aged, phlegmatic and solid she had loved both him and Tayoga, despite tricks and teasing, but he knew her very phlegm would keep her from being startled too much.

Only an earthquake could shake the poise of Caterina.
The door swung slowly open.

The nature of Caterina was cautious and she never opened a door quickly.
"Good-morning, Caterina," said Robert.

"Is Master Jacobus in?
I stayed away a bit longer than I intended, and I wish to make my apologies to him, if I've caused him any inconvenience." The mouth of Caterina, a wide cleft, opened full as slowly as the door and full as steadily, and her eyes seemed to swell at the same time.

But she did not utter a word.