“It seemed like a nice neighborhood to have bad habits in.”

“I have a bad habit of starting a book and reading just far enough to make sure I want to read it and look forward to reading and then putting it to one side while I break the ice on a couple more. In that way, when I feel dull and depressed which is too often, I know I have something to read late at night when I do most of it and not that horrid blank feeling of not having anybody to talk to or listen to.”

“I don’t mind if you don’t like my manners. They’re pretty bad. I grieve over them during the long winter evenings.”

“It’s so hard for women—even nice women—to realize that their bodies are not irresistible.”

“Her teeth had the nice shiny look that comes from standing all night in a glass of solution.”

“Hair like steel wool grew far back on his head and gave him a domed brown forehead that might at careless glance seemed a dwelling place for brains.”

“There is no bad whiskey. There are only some whiskeys that aren't as good as others.”