The Tenderness of Wolves

Clearly the secret of happiness...is a variation on the general principle of banging your head against a wall, and then stopping.

...it just goes to show you can't leave anything behind. You bring it all with you, whether you want to or not.

I despise this weakness in myself--this endless one-sided conversation that takes the place of action...

He thought of the next Saturday. [...] He thought of the picnic by the dipping pool on the river, where oaks and willows dappled the sun on water the color of tea; and girls in light summer dresses would sit in pools of pale cotton. And he knew he would not go.

He smiled to show he meant no offense, but Scott takes offense like it is going out of style, and bristled.