It's all life is. Just going 'round kissing people.

I wasn't actually in love, but I felt a sort of tender curiosity.

She was beautiful, but not like those girls in the magazines. She was beautiful, for the way she thought. She was beautiful, for the sparkle in her eyes when she talked about something she loved. She was beautiful, for her ability to make other people smile, even if she was sad. No, she wasn't beautiful for something as temporary as her looks. She was beautiful, deep down to her soul. She is beautiful.

Exploration was for those with a measure of peasant blood, those with big thighs and thick ankles who could take punishment as they took bread and salt, on every inch of flesh and spirit.

Only remember west of the Mississippi it's a little more look, see, act. A little less rationalize, comment, talk.

...for a moment people set down their glasses in county clubs and speak-easies and thought of their old best dreams.

I was too absorbed to be responsive