Soul longings

“We were in the car with moonlight spilling into the other side of the ravine. “Do you love me, Harry?” she asked. “No,” I said. “Well, that’s a fine answer. You might at least say you did.” “Why should I?” “I just thought it might sound better that way. It don’t make any difference, though, does it?”  “No.” “I suppose you think I’m in love with you, don’t you?” “And why would I?” “Because I’m here. Well, let me tell you—“ “You don’t have to tell me. I know why you’re here. But you don’t think we’re going to get by with much of this, do you?” “Why not?” “And you’re the one who asked me if I’d lived in a small town.” “It’s all right. He’s at a lodge meeting.” “It’s dangerous as hell. You know that.” “I notice you’re telling me that now. You didn’t say anything about it a couple of hours ago.” “You didn’t expect me to think then, did you?”
― Charles Williams, A Touch of Death

“A man who has mastered all the books in the world may still be ignorant if he fails to connect this bookish knowledge with the real world.”
― Awdhesh Singh, 31 Ways to Happiness

“Is that a no?" she asks
. "Once burned, twice shy," Sam chimes in.
"I like Wilde's quote better," Caitlin rejoins. "What's that?" I ask.
"The burnt child loves the fire."

The Quiet Game. The Quiet Game (Kindle Locations 1477-1479). Kindle Edition.”
― Greg Iles

“I just have a feeling," Dortmunder said. "This is turning into one of those dreams where you keep running down the same corridor and you never get anywhere.”
― Donald Westlake