Miss Caroline seemed unaware that the ragged, denim-shirted and floursack-skirted first grade, most of whom had chopped cotton and fed hogs from the time they were able to walk, were immune to imaginative literature.

She's an old lady and she's ill. You just hold your head high and be a gentleman. Whatever she says to you, it's your job not to let her make you mad.

Where are your pants, son?

She knew full well the enormity of her offense, but because her desires were stronger than the code she was breaking, she persisted in breaking it.

You can choose your friends, but you sho' can't choose your family.

Talking to Francis gave me the sensation of settling slowly to the bottom of the ocean.

Being Southerners, it was a source of shame to some members of the family that we had no recorded ancestors on either side of the Battle of Hastings.