I haven't laughed so much over anything since the hogs ate my kid brother.

Listen, Dundy, it's been a long time since I burst into tears because a policeman didn't like me.

Who shot him? I asked. The grey man scratched the back of his neck and said: Somebody with a gun.

I've been as bad an influence on American literature as anyone I can think of.

Yes,' Spade growled. 'And when you're slapped you'll take it and like it.' He released Cairo's wrist and with a thick open hand struck the side of his face three times savagely.

The roof might fall in; anything could happen.

It's sometimes better to pretend I don't hear the sound of somebody in the nearby woods with a shotgun.