He stroked her arm gently; the gesture did not seem a spontaneous display of affection, but a calculated movement designed to evoke a response.

And for the record, only three occasions in his life have reduced him to spontaneous displays of human emotion:

By then she was simply too weary to think clearly, feeling totally overwhelmed by the spontaneous display of affection from the patriotic crowd.

As we were bombing Iraq, the country erupted again in a spontaneous display of unity and patriotic enthusiasm.

Players from both teams surround the former Red Sox star in a spontaneous display of homage.

"This is the largest spontaneous display we've ever had," he told me, rather haltingly.

The Senate rose to their feet and cheered themselves hoarse in a spontaneous display, and Pompey had to raise his hand to quiet them.

She was happier, far more self-confident, and given to spontaneous and automatic displays of affection, even on the job.

Hall described the spontaneous display of affection from the public as one usually "reserved for royalty or the Beatles".

Such spontaneous displays of emotions are rare in a clubhouse composed primarily of unassuming personalities.