E. M. Forster

Yes. My brother died last year,” said Dr Barry. “The incident slipped your memory. War did not render him robust by exercising his limbs, as Maurice supposes. He got a shell in the stomach.”

never meant to talk, for I respect people’s opinions too much to laugh at them, but it doesn’t seem to me that you have any opinions to respect

I never meant to talk, for I respect people’s opinions too much to laugh at them, but it doesn’t seem to me that you have any opinions to respect.

“I shall be obliged if you will not mention my criminal morbidity to anyone. I am sure you will do this from the sensible way in which you took the news.” Maurice did not reply, but first put the note with the letters he had received during the vac and afterwards burnt them all.

The mist would lower again, he felt sure, and with an unhappy sigh he pulled Durham’s head against his knee, as though it was a talisman for clear living. It lay there, and he had accomplished a new tenderness—stroked it steadily from temple to throat. Then, removing both hands, he dropped them on either side of him and sat sighing.

“I never meant to talk, for I respect people’s opinions too much to laugh at them, but it doesn’t seem to me that you have any opinions to respect. They’re all second-hand tags—no, tenth-hand.”

They walked arm in arm or arm around shoulder now. When they sat it was nearly always in the same position—Maurice in a chair, and Durham at his feet, leaning against him. In the world of their friends this attracted no notice. Maurice would stroke Durham’s hair.

Clive, you’re a silly little fool, and since you’ve brought it up I think you’re beautiful, the only beautiful person I’ve ever seen. I love your voice and everything to do with you, down to your clothes or the room you are sitting in. I adore you.

The Piazza Si­gnoria is too stony to be bril­liant.

could not have be­lieved that stones, a Log­gia, a foun­tain, a palace tower, would have such sig­ni­fic­ance. For a mo­ment she un­der­stood the nature of ghosts.