“Don't say I didn't warn you. One of these days you're going to take in a stray that'll really break your heart.”~Ed”

“Oh, Kathleen!" sighed Nancy as the two went into the kitchen together. "Isn't mother the most interesting 'scolder' you ever listened to? I love to hear her do it, especially when somebody else is getting it. When it's I, I grow smaller and smaller, curling myself up like a little worm. Then when she has finished I squirm to the door and wriggle out. Other mothers say: 'If you don't, I shall tell your father!' 'Do as I tell you, and ask no questions.' 'I never heard of such behavior in my life!' 'Haven't you any sense of propriety?' 'If this happens again I shall have to do something desperate.' 'Leave the room at once,' and so on; but mother sets you to thinking.""Mother doesn't really scold," Kathleen objected."No, but she shows you how wrong you are, just the same...”

“After you're dead and buried and floating around whatever place we go to, what's going to be your best memory of earth? What one moment for you defines what it's like to be alive on this planet. What's your takeaway? Fake yuppie experiences that you had to spend money on, like white water rafting or elephant rides in Thailand don't count. I want to hear some small moment from your life that proves you're really alive.”

“I don't think I want to have this sort of conversation with you, especially since you're going to be a virgin till you're thirty-five."Anna grinned. "I won't tell you about Hans and Boris during spring break then.""You hung out on my couch during spring break.""So did Hans and Boris."- Perfect For You”

“The soul grows into lovely habits as easily as into ugly ones, and the moment a life begins to blossom into beautiful words and deeds, that moment a new standard of conduct is established, and your eager neighbors look to you for a continuous manifestation of the good cheer, the sympathy, the ready wit, the comradeship, or the inspiration, you once showed yourself capable of. Bear figs for a season or two, and the world outside the orchard is very unwilling you should bear thistles.”

“Oooh!" Bill squealed. "Very rococo.""So,I'm really doing this? I'm just going to go down there and pretend-""No pretending." Bill shook his head. "Own it. Own that cleavage, girl, you know you want to.""Okay,I am pretending you didn't say that." Luce laughed-winced. "So I go downstairs and 'own it' or whatever. But what do I do when I find my past self? I don't know anything about her.Do I just-""Take her hand," Bill said cryptically. "She'll be very touched by the gesture,I'm sure.”

“Great, wide, beautiful, wonderful World,With the wonderful water round you curled,And the wonderful grass upon your breast,World, you are beautifully drest!”