Does the real thing ever have the perfection of a stage performance?

You gave too much rein to your imagination. Imagination is a good servant, and a bad master. The simplest explanation is always the most likely.

... it's always interesting when one doesn't see. If you don't see what a thing means, you must be looking at it wrong way round.

No sign, so far, of anything sinister—but I live in hope.

With method and logic one can accomplish anything.

The first time you do a thing is always exciting.

The heart of a woman who loves will forgive many blows.