“Because they knew each other's thoughts, they even quarrelled without speaking.”

“Silence is pure and holy. It draws people together because only those who are comfortable with each other can sit without speaking.”

“It is a waste, for silence is pure.Silence is holy. It draws people together because only those who arecomfortable with each other can sit without speaking. This is the greatparadox.”

“There are many people who are frightened of something or other, Mma," she said. "Even here in Botswana there are people who are frightened."They had looked at each other without saying anything. Each knew what the other meant; each knew that there were things that people preferred not to acknowledge not to admit, lest the admission encourage that which needed no encouragement.”

“She knew that even pain can be confessed, but to confess happiness is to stand naked, delivered to the witness, yet they could let each other see it without the need of protection.”

“In the confusion we stay with each other, happy to be together, speaking without uttering a single word.”