Nathan always believed his wife was trying to poison him but he didn't seem to mind. He said it made life kind of exciting.

She had a way of embroidering life with stars.

I don't know, I don't want to talk as much. (...) It's nicer to think dear, pretty thoughts and keep them in one's heart, like treasures. I don't like to have them laughed at or wondered over.

Do you know what I think Mayflowers are, Marilla? I think they must be the souls of the flowers that died last summer, and this is their heaven.

most people worry so much, they think you're not right if you don't worry.

I suppose all this sounds very crazy — all these terrible emotions always do sound foolish when we put them into our inadequate words. They are not meant to be spoken — only felt and endured.

Never be silent with persons you love and distrust," Mr. Carpenter had said once. "Silence betrays.