The silence became as cold and lonely as the ice.

David looked over at his hiking partner, and feeling that the silence was becoming awkward, decided to make a little small talk.

The closer they came to the border, the deeper the silence became.

"Absolutely not," he answered before Spock's silence could become longer.

The silence, uneasy at first, became less so as they went along.

The silence slowly became stifling and seemed to hold an edge of expectancy.

When the silence that followed had become uncomfortable, he added: "I am just about to take tea; pray come and have some with me."

Finally, after the silence had become almost unbearable, he spoke.

The silence became oppressive; only by great effort could he control the urge to look over his shoulder.

But soon the silence became even more trying to him than the cries had been.