“But you would still settle for me if I were that last, wouldn't you? Women are like that. They have to have a male.”

“I wouldn't even consider it if I were you. But then if I were you, I would not be me, and if I were not me, I would not be able to advise you, and if I were unable to advise you, you'd do as you like, so you might as well do as you like and have done with it.”

“Nobody likes me!""I wish I could like you, Charlie Brown, but I can't... If I were to like you, it would be admitting that I was lowering my standards! You wouldn't want me to do that, would you? Be reasonable! I have standards that I have set up for liking people, and you just don't meet those standards! It wouldn't be reasonable for me to like you!""I hate myself for being so unreasonable!”

“--you wouldn't have hurt me like this for nothing. So what have I done? How have I wronged you? Tell me.”

“Wars, and hence the memories of wars, are owned by the male species. And facism is a decidely male property, whether you were for or against it. Besides, women have no past, or aren't supposed to have one. A man can have an interesting past, a woman only indecent.”

“How long were you standing there?""Long enough to know you will be leaving soon. I thought I should speak to you. I didn't think you would come to tell me. Would you have?""No. I wouldn't have expected you to care. You followed me?""Like a lovesick swain. Wherever you go, there am I. Haven't you noticed these past weeks?""I have seen you drinking and mocking with your jaded friends and your latest paramour on your arms. Or is it still Castlemaine? Have you no self-respect?""No. None." He shrugged. "Love is war, and feigned disinterest my armor. You wear yours too, love. It is sad I know.”