1.   There was complete silence.

2.   Apart from the occasional rumble of distant thunder, there was silence.

3.   At first there was silence as they drove along the quiet road, simply enjoying being close to each other.

4.   But there was absolute silence in the house.

5.   Ferdinando was out, she knew, and so were Pen and Annunciata if the total silence was any indication.

6.   For a moment there was utter silence.

7.   Neglectful silence is, of course, the most perfect means of maintaining the powerful integrity of the institutional boundaries against any criticisms.

8.   She figured the awkward silence was partly the result of people believing that only big topics were worthy of being discussed.

9.   The conversation had died and the silence was almost oppressive as we opened the byre door.