“How was the drive?”

“The interstate was quite congested.”

Ronald rarely used contractions.

He had spent years in financial planning, and sometimes he sounded as though somebody might be recording even the most ordinary conversation.

He took off his glasses and cleaned them with his silk handkerchief.

“Ethan was quiet when he got home.”

“Children experience fatigue after a full school day.”

“Vance told me to look in his bag.”