There had to be dark and muddy waters so that the sun could have something to background it's flashing glory.

Someday you'll remember what I said and you'll thank me for it." Francie wished adults would stop telling her that. Already the load of thanks in the future was weighing her down. She figured she'd have to spend the best years of her womanhood hunting up people to tell them that they were right and to thank them.

And always, there was the magic of learning things.

All of us are what we have to be and everyone lives the kind of life its in him to live.

She had become accustomed to being lonely. She was used to walking alone and to being considered 'different.' She did not suffer too much.

Bad quarrels come when two people are wrong. Worse quarrels come when two people are right.

People always think that happiness is a faraway thing," thought Francie, "something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up; a place of shelter when it rains - a cup of strong hot coffee when you're blue; for a man, a cigarette for contentment; a book to read when you're alone - just to be with someone you love. Those things make happiness.