"We have been but little molested, for we have not the things which most men value." — John Wyndham

"No one but a fool would say that a man who seethes inside like a volcano is calm.

I only know that when I see a man so tormented and cheated, and with such a look in his eyes, he is dangerous."

"What did I tell you?" said my neighbour excitedly. "Force of mind, that's what those people use; that's why their hands are vestigial. Pure will-power."

The dwarf seemed to hear him, for he looked towards us.

"I am surprised," he sneered, "that you even know of such a thing as will-power. I judged by your reflexes that you had only instincts."

Those are the methods of Earth; that is the honour of great companies, as you will know to your cost should you have dealings with them. They'll use you, and then break you. . . .