Her good-bye came with a curtness that might well have inspired consternation.

To prove this he wilfully exaggerated his gruffness and curtness of manner.

He paid absolutely no attention to the tone of my reply or its curtness.

“No,” said Stirling, with a curtness at which Weston could not take offense.

The curtness of their reply, proved to me that they had been discussing our interview.

Her tone belied the curtness of her words, and she waited eagerly for the answer.

"Tell him I will attend to Mr. Smith," she said with a curtness that matched Calamity's own.

"Don't ask," replied Geoff, with a curtness which was unusual in him.

But he had carried his curtness too far, and was not prepared for the quick retort.

I returned his nod with a curtness I was at no pains to dissemble.