We're not punished for our sins, lad. We're punished by them.

A new word. Bright with possibilities. A flawless pearl to turn over and over in my hand, then put away for safekeeping.

We're not punished for our sins, lad. We're punished by them.

For the first time, I saw what was in his heart, and I wondered if he might ever want to look deep enough to see mine.

Only the hopeless love God.

Cripes Miss Wilcox, they're not guns,' I said. No, they're not Mattie, they're books. And a hundred times more dangerous.

Turn away. From the darkness, the madness, the pain. Open your eyes and look at the light.