A word in earnest is as good as a speech.

“I am afraid to think of what I might have done, on requirement, in the secrecy …”

“«Natale una fesseria, zio?», disse il nipote di Scrooge; «sono sicuro che non p…”

“The night wore out, and, as he stood upon the bridge listening to the water as …”

“When the Devil goeth about like a roaring lion, he goeth about in a shape by wh…”