I seemed to hear a soft padding of many feet, and a faint, inarticulate whisper of sound, grew on my sense.

I have dined opposite Miss Cumberlandonly the two of us at a great tablewith a wide silence around usand the Chinese cook padding to and fro from the kitchen.

When that which should be a short story is expanded into a novel one can usually detect the padding and the embroidery.

First he lifted out some soft padding.

Here Haught gave out, and was on his way home when he met the blue bear padding along as lively as ever.

Then he observed a table which was apparently to his fancy and crossed the floor with a light, noiseless step, big George padding heavily behind him.

Nearer, nearer came the stealthy padding, till Billie realized it had reached the landing.

I censored the tender parts, spun out the padding and served it up like cold-hash.