It had its roots away down at the bottom of things, but laughter was always up near the surface and could be tapped on the slightest provocation.
"My Lady of the Chimney Corner"
Alexander Irvine
He's as brave as a lion, and it is my confounded skill has pushed him on to this provocation.
"The Martins Of Cro' Martin, Vol. II (of II)"
Charles James Lever
When the rays of the single lamp in the station fall upon the stranger, the agent at first concludes that he is middle-aged, for a new growth of whiskers covers his face completely; but he thinks better of this during the course of his inspection, and remarks to himself that the owner of the packages is not as old as he seemed at first glance, but he is a man not satisfied with himself, or with anything around him,-the agent is sure of that; and as he helps with the baggage, of which there is a great deal, he keeps thinking to himself that it will stand him in hand to be more polite than usual, for the stranger looks sullen enough to fight with very little provocation.
"The Mystery of the Locks"
Edgar Watson Howe