“Fenworth!'Yes?'You bore me with your prattle.'Oh, regrettable that. Why don't you seek the company of someone who doesn't prattle? Seems like a good solution to your problem.”

“He was one of those supercilious striplings who give you the impression that you went to the wrong school and that your clothes don't fit."This is Oswald," said Bingo."What," I replied cordially, "could be sweeter? How are you?""Oh, all right," said the kid."Nice place, this.""Oh, all right," said the kid."Having a good time fishing?""Oh, all right," said the kid.Young Bingo led me off to commune apart."Doesn't jolly old Oswald's incessant flow of prattle make your head ache sometimes?" I asked.Bingo sighed.”

“Most humans, they seem to prattle on about this and that, not even really seeming to care about what they are saying so long as someone is listening.”

“If someone else doesn't like your confidence, that's their problem. Why? You always come before they do, that's why.”

“Books don't prattle. Books don't make demands. Yet they give you everything they possess. It's a very satisfying partnership.”

“Maybe a friend is someone who wants your updates. Even if they're boring. Or sad. Or annoyingly cutesy. A friend says "Sign me up for your boring crap, yes indeed"--because he likes you anyways. He'll tolerate your junk”