And she succeeded in stroking his hair for an instant.

"I know," she murmured, stroking his hair for all the world as if he were a child.

After ten minutes she released it, turned back and stroked easily for the shore.

She stroked his hair in silence for a moment or two, then spoke again.

After stroking for several minutes, they paused and looked back.

He held me close and stroked my hair for a long time.

One stroked the center of her face as if for reassurance.

Then she rose, stroked the cat for a moment and shook her head gently.

The old man stroked his chin for a moment, as though thinking it over.

She closed her eyes and stroked herself for him.