Merrie Haskell

“I held in the sneeze, though, by thinking of the word cucumber. It always works.”

“I understand that you don’t want to marry me,” I said. “I mean, I don’t know why, since I’m simply delightful to be around. But to each his own taste.”

“Fate is for people who are too lazy to do anything”

“Stay in the boat, I told myself, watching them walk up to the pavilion. I'll just stay in the boat. I won't go anywhere near that creature.But in spite of that wise warning, I climbed out of the boat.Fine, stretch your legs, I told myself. Just don't follow them.But of course, I followed them.You are without question your own worst enemy, I scolded myself, even as I tiptoed after them.”

“Did I never explain to you about love, Reva?' Pa asked. I gave him a look, and he laughed uncomfortably. 'I guess not. Let me put it in a way you'll understand. Love is like stinging nettles. Only they prick from the inside out, starting at your heart and bursting on around. It's worse when it gets here'--he rubbed the bridge of his nose--'then your vision goes a little strange. But eventually the nettles stop stinging--once she agrees to kiss you. But they start right back up again when she agrees to marry you--''Pa,' I interrupted, 'that's not love, that's fear.'Pa shook his head, looking off admiringly in the direction where Lacrimora had disappeared. 'Same thing, in my case.”

“An uncomfortable marriage can not bear the strain of the death of a beloved donkey.”