There's no need to imagine that you're a wondrous beauty, because that's what you are.

The thing about God, she thought, is that He usually does help, but not until you've made an effort on your own.

It looks rather ordinary," said the Snork. "Unless you consider that a top hat is always somewhat extraordinary, of course.

...now and then a giggling trail of mermaids appeared in our wake. We fed them oatmeal.

He didn't remember, he didn't worry, he just was.

It is still summer, but the summer is no longer alive. It has come to a standstill; nothing withers, and fall is not ready to begin. There are no stars yet, just darkness.

Anyway, solitary people interest me. There are so many different ways of being solitary.' 'I know just what you mean,' said X. 'I know exactly what you're going to say. Different kinds of solitude. Enforced solitude and voluntary solitude.' 'Quite,' said Viktoria. 'There's no need to go into it further. But when people understand one another without speaking, it can often leave them with very little to talk about, don't you think?