The only people who are not in awe of Emerson's powerful voice and well-nigh superhuman strength are the members of his own family. He is aware of this, and often complains about it; so from time to time I like to put on a little show of being intimidated. 'Proceed, my dear,' I said apologetically.

That's maturity-when you realize that you've finally arrived at a state of ignorance as profound as your parents.

..he continues to cling to the forlorn hope that I will turn into one of those swooning females...and fling myself squeeling at him whenever anything happens. Like all men, he clings to his illusions.

The only way to do it is to do it: by writing, writing, writing.

If you take a man by surprise, and behave with sufficient arrogance, he will generally do what you ask. -Emerson

There are too many people in the world as it is, but the supply of ancient manuscripts is severely limited.

There was no warning, not even a knock. The door flew open, and he forgot his present aches and pains in anticipation of what lay in store. The figure that stood in the door was not that of an enemy. It was worse. It was his mother.