" I dearly love to laugh. "

"I hope I never ridicule what is wise or good. Follies and nonsense, whims and inconsistencies do divert me, I own, and I laugh at them whenever I can. " rp acccount for Elizabeth Bennet of Pride & Prejudice

[onlytolerable]

austenlnd​:

such is her wit and propensity for challenges that he feels almost beyond understanding her,  despite closely following her meaning.   no,  of course she would not sink to mock in that way caroline is apt to;  at once he has made a misstep––he who should be superior of mind and taste––just as well as he has achieved his goal.   with an enviable lack of exertion she speaks again and at some length,  effortlessly passionate so that when she does tease,  he is helplessly fixed by her for a moment longer.

for the life of him,  he can scarcely remember the subject of their debate.

“ ––no, ”    returns darcy immediately,  momentarily visibly alarmed at the notion of further misconduct on his part––at so false an insinuation he can have given her any idea of.   never one to falter,  he feels he has met far beyond his match in miss bennet;  all his acquaintance in town might meet with a surprise were they to meet with him now––for the thought of such poor behavior has never startled him so as it does these days past.   his manners may have wanted,  but he has taken care that his actions have not been untoward where truly important.

“ no. ”    he repeats;  calm and composure restored,  darcy may resume.    “ forgive me.  just as you would not mock,  i should not.  i only wish to understand.  ––you do not agree and yet,  you advocate for company not among us? ”

His sudden exclamation and subsequent hesitation both surprises and amuses her, though she maintains her expression as close to indifference as she might even as she notes her victory. So she has flustered him. Good! How complacent he seems in his own attitude and opinions! 

“If I do not, then who will? Is there another here who would speak for them?” she questions, one eyebrow rising once more, head canting to one side as she consider him. 

“I think you too often frighten others into silence or acquiescence with all your importance, and that is why my challenge of your opinion so bemuses and confounds you. How dull a conversation continues and ends if all within the group are of one mind. Have you not found it to be so? And if one cannot be present who is of such an opinion, why should some other within the party not take it up for the sake of earnest debate and discussion?”

[austenlnd]

@onlytolerable​  ༺  continuation.  ༻

“ you seek to protect yourself from mockery without ever being in danger of it––or to produce new results in the name of progress? ”    each word is measured,  tone even,  in sharp contrast to how swiftly he speaks up once she has finished––as though he means not only to understand her,  but to continue any discussion at all which might prompt more from him than he should know to give alone.   “ or do you indeed mock those who may disagree by stirring their tempers? ”

[onlytolerable]

“Mock?” she repeats, brow furrowing. “Why, no, so dearly as I love to laugh, I seldom intend to do such a thing to others. I haven’t the slightest inclination to make others feel small or foolish.”

A jab? Perhaps, and yet it is done without malice at this point. It is merely a juxtaposition of what she believes to be fact, nothing more.

“No, I only think it perfectly acceptable that others might say a thing cannot be done just as I think it so that others might determine to make it otherwise.”

A beat.

“Why do you ask, Mister Darcy? Have I stirred your temper with my being so disagreeable? Or do you merely seek to shame me that you may spare those who you think I mock?”

[natalieswood-deactivated2021100]

Vanity and pride are different things, though the words are often used synonymously. A person may be proud without being vain. Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.

PRIDE & PREJUDICE 2005 | dir. Joe Wright

[i-sparkling-star]

[onlytolerable]

“ nonsense. you’re only saying that because no one ever has. ” ( from mr. darcy ! )

⚔ the princess bride sentence starters ⚔

@austenlnd

“Until such time as it has been done, why should it not be said that it cannot be?” she returns, one eyebrow arching ever so slightly. 

Does she truly think the feat discussed impossible? No. 

She has played the devil’s advocate for this long, however, and now she has one who intends to challenge her. She will not be cowed, even––or perhaps especially––as it is Mister Darcy, in all his state.

“In fact! I think it is well to say as much. It makes those who mean to be contrary so much more inclined to prove false such an assertion and then to have claim to forever mock those who once thought it otherwise.”

“Were it not for the naysayers, I fear that perhaps nothing would ever be done.”

[onlytolerable]

“Are you listening? You never listen.” ( from mrs. bennet ! )

pride & prejudice (2005) sentence starters pt. 1

@austenlnd

“Mama, I assure you I am listening, as always I am. I simply have not anything yet to contribute,” Elizabeth assures, though she cannot quite keep the amusement from her eyes. 

Always her mother imagines her flutterings and mutterings to be lost on those to whom she means to impart them, though how anyone ever could ignore her is beyond the understanding of her second oldest. They are always spoken at such a volume and an insistence as would make them difficult to disregard.

“I believe you have far more to say on the matter than I, however, I have no objection or reason not to hear it.”

She is her father’s daughter, after all.

[baymakesmemes-blog]

pride & prejudice (2005) sentence starters pt. 1

[ some lines have been edited to make sense on their own. as always, feel free to make any needed adjustments to suit your muses ]

“As you wish to tell me, my dear, I doubt I have any choice in the matter.” “What have I told you about listening at the door?” “Are you listening? You never listen.” “How can you tease me so? Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?” “Now, if every man in the room does not end the evening in love with you, then I am no judge of beauty.” “One of these days, someone will catch your eye, and then you’ll have to watch your tongue!” “He looks miserable, poor soul.” “I mean, I can read, of course!” “I’ve never seen so many pretty girls in my life.” “She is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld.” “She’s perfectly tolerable, I dare say. And not handsome enough to tempt me.” “You’d better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You’re wasting your time with me.” “Count your blessings. If he liked you, you’d have to talk to him.” “I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?” “I thought poetry was the food of love.” “So what would you recommend to encourage affection?” “You know perfectly well I don’t believe marriage should be driven by a lot of money.” “Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which I why shall end up an old maid.” “He danced with you most of the night and stared at you the rest of it.” “I could more easily forgive his vanity if he had not wounded mine.” “Your skills in the art of matchmaking are positively occult.” “Although I don’t think you can reasonably take credit for making it rain.” “You drop something, they pick it up, and then you’re introduced.” “I think it’s amazing you young ladies have the patience to be so accomplished.” “I never saw such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.” “I can admire you much better from here.” “Would you consider pride a virtue or a fault?” “We’re doing our best to find fault in you.” “I find it hard to forgive the follies and vices of others, or their offenses against me. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.” “Oh dear, I cannot tease you about that. What a shame, for I dearly love to laugh.” “I think a ball is a perfectly irrational way to make new acquaintance.” “What excellent boiled potatoes. It’s been many years since I’ve had such an exemplary vegetable.” “How happy for you to possess the talent for flattering with such delicacy.” “Believe me, no one would suspect your manners to be rehearsed.” “I can’t be trusted. I have very poor taste in ribbons.” “Only a man truly confident in himself could admit to that.” “Ignore me. I’m of next to no importance, so it’s easily done.” “You can’t invite people to other people’s balls.” “It is not for me to be driven away. If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go, not I.” “We were both with him the day he died.” “I still think there must have been a misunderstanding.”  “I’m so pleased you’re here.” “Are you looking for someone?”  “I’m just admiring the general splendor.” “I did not think you danced.” “In fact, several people have complimented me on my lightness of foot.” “It is my intention, if I may be so bold, to remain close to you throughout the evening.” “It would be most inconvenient, since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity.”  “No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn. Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don’t you think?” “Why do you ask such a question?” 

[leneemusing]

⚔ the princess bride sentence starters ⚔

“  you  mock  my  pain!  ”  “  life  is  pain.  ” “  he’s  only  mostly  dead.  ” “  i’m on  the  brute  squad.  ” “  you  are  the  brute  squad.  ” “  prepare  to  die.  ” “  we’ll  never  survive.  ” “  nonsense.  you’re  only  saying  that  because  no  one  ever  has.  ” “  who  are  you?  ” “  get  used  to  disappointment.  ” “  you  keep  using  that  word.  i  do  not  think  it  means  what  you  think  it  means.  ” “  i’ll  use  small  words  so  that  you’ll  be  sure  to  understand,  you  warthog  faced  buffoon.  ” “  that  may  be  the  first  time  in  my  life  a  man  dared  insult  me.  ” “  drop.  your.  sword.  ” “  shut  up!!  ”   “  you’ve  made  your  decision  then?  ” “  i  bet  my  life  on  it!  ” “  truly,  you  have  dizzying  intellect.  ” “  you’re  just  stalling  now.  ” “  you  guessed  wrong.  ” “  enough  of  that.  ”  “  surrender.  ” “  you  mean  you  wish  to  surrender  to  me?  very  well,  i  accept.  ” “  i  hate  waiting.  ” “  morons.  ” “  you  are  wonderful.  ” “  you  seem  a  decent  fellow,  i  hate  to  kill   you.  ” “  why  are  you  smiling?  ” “  because  i  know  something  you  don’t  know.  ” “  goodnight.  good  work.  i’ll  most  likely  kill  you  in  the  morning.  ” “  oh,  there’s  something  i  ought  to  tell  you.  ” “  think  it’ll  work?  ” “  it  would  take  miracle.  ” “  hear  this  now —  i  will  always  come  for  you.  ” “  this  is  true  love,  you  think  this  happens  every  day?  ” “  death  cannot  stop  true  love.  ” “  i  died  that  day.  ” “  we  may  as  well  die  here.  ” “  he’s  dead.  he  can’t  talk.  ”   “  as  you  wish.  ”   “  why  didn’t  you  wait  for  me?  ”   “  you  can  die  slowly,  cut  into  a  thousand  pieces.  ” “  you  killed  my  love.  ” “  it’s  possible. i  kill  a  lot  of  people.  ”   “  yes,  you’re  very  smart.  shut  up.  ”   “  you’ve  been  mostly-dead  all  day.  ”  “  inconceivable!!  ”  “  let  me  explain.  ”   “  your vote of confidence is overwhelming.  ” “  what  hideous  sin  have  you  committed  lately?  ” “  will  you  ever  forgive  me?  ” “  there’s a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. it would be a pity to damage yours.  ”  

[eugenieroe]

can we all agree that pressing foreheads together is an underrated act of affection??

[onlyrpmemes]

Send a 🎯 to learn a random headcanon I have for my muse

[leneemusing]

misc prompts for your feels

“ unique just means alone. ” “ i’m not afraid to die, just wish i could live a little first. ” “ i know i’m a monster, but you look at me like i’m a man. ” “ there’s nothing i wouldn’t do to keep you safe. ” “ we all have sins to pay penance for. ” “ don’t look at me like i’m a hero. you’ll only disappoint yourself. ” “ sometimes when you look at me it’s like…it’s like you’re staring straight past my flesh and into my soul. ” “ you make me want to live. ” “ i know i don’t deserve forgiveness, but i like the idea that some people think i might. ” “ i trust you with my life. ” “ you’re more like family to me than my own blood. ” “ i’ve never had any sort of family before. ” “ your life is far more precious than mine. ” “ i don’t care what happens to me. as long as you’re safe. ” “ i need you to live…cause if you’re gone then, i don’t know what the point of it all is anymore. ” “ i know i’m not the person you want, but i’m here. ” “ i love you, and i know you may never feel the same. but i’m okay with that. ” “ i couldn’t say no to you even if i wanted to. ” “ you’re worth more than this. ” “ why do you walk around as if you’re somehow less valuable than the rest of the world? ” “ please, let me help you. ” “ just let me do this for you. ” “ you do have something to live for. you have me. ” “ you’ll always have me. ” “ i see you. i know you feel so invisible all the time, but you’re not. not to me. ” “ it’s okay to be angry, you’re allowed to be upset about what happened to you. ” “ don’t you realize you deserve more than this? ” “ you’re not a machine or— or some thing. you’re a person, and i’m sorry anyone ever made you feel otherwise. ” “ please, just hold on a little longer. i can’t lose you too. ” “ this scar..what happened? ” “ if you won’t do it for yourself, then do it for me. ” “ you’re bleeding— how long have you been hiding this?! ” “ sometimes i realize one day i could die, i could just disappear and the world would be none the wiser. there’d be no one to miss me and that terrifies me more than death itself. ”  “ i’m not sure i know who i’m supposed to be anymore. ” “ my mind is so loud and i’m afraid it’ll never be quiet again. ” “ when i’m in a crowd i just want to melt away and yet, when i’m alone it’s somehow worse. ” “ loneliness is a poison and i’ve been drinking it for so long, i don’t there there’s an anecdote to save my soul. ” “ i don’t care if the world knows my name, i just want you to remember me. ” “ you deserve more than i could ever give you. ” “ i love you. i know that’s not enough, but i do. ” “ you’re safe with me, you always will be. ” “ you make me feel safe. like i’m allowed to be anything i want. ” “ i’d do anything to be the person you love again. ” “ i’ve got you, you’re safe. ” “ just rest, i’m here. ” “ you can stay with me tonight. ”

[memeasaurus-promptus]

Late Night Wanderings Sentence Starters

“What are you doing out this late?”

“This part of town isn’t a good place to be at this time of night.”

“Now what’s a pretty thing like you doing in a place like this?” 

“You do realize what time it is, right?” 

“Where are you going at this hour?” 

“The sun isn’t rising anytime soon, you know.” 

“Do you know where I am?” 

“The city looks different at night.” 

“This street is very dark…” 

“Why don’t you come stand in the light?” 

“Are you lost?” 

“I got turned around in the dark…” 

“This isn’t the time to go wandering around.”

“Only fools and trouble come out to these parts at this hour.” 

“Looking for trouble, are we?” 

“A little late to be shopping.” 

“Just coming back from the bar?” 

“Think any of the pubs are still going to be open?” 

“Trouble lurks around every shadowed corner.” 

“Woah! I didn’t see you there!”

“Where did you come from?” 

“What are you doing here?” 

“A bold move to show your face here in the shadows of night.” 

“Go home.” 

“It isn’t safe here at this time of night.” 

“You’re being watched.” 

“What are you doing still up?” 

“Looking for something?” 

“I like walking when the streets are empty.”

“It’s dangerous to walk at night alone.” 

“I know where I’m going.” 

“The trees are kind of spooky…”

“Did you hear that howl?” 

“Was…was that an owl…?” 

“This path is scary at night…” 

“The woods is no place a __ after dusk.” 

“Oh you poor soul, wandering lost in the forest under the new moon…” 

“You can’t see the stars from here…” 

“This is the witching hour.” 

“Dark beasts lurk here. Be cautious.” 

“Stay on the road!” 

“Talking a midnight stroll along the beach?” 

“The ocean is so mysterious at night…” 

“What brings you to the pier at this hour?” 

“What dangers lurk in these dark waters, I wonder.” 

“You’re going to get yourself lost one of these days.” 

🌙+ your own

[heireating]

             BOOK STARTERS VOL.56    CIRCE    MADELINE MILLER

❛ But in a solitary life, there are rare moments when another soul dips near yours, as stars once a year brush the earth. ❜

❛ He showed me his scars, and in return he let me pretend that I had none. ❜

❛ Humbling women seems to me a chief pastime of poets. As if there can be no story unless we crawl and weep. ❜

❛ It is a common saying that women are delicate creatures, flowers, eggs, anything that may be crushed in a moment’s carelessness.  ❜

❛ If I had ever believed it, I no longer do. ❜

❛ I thought once that gods are the opposite of death, but I see now they are more dead than anything, for they are unchanging, and can hold nothing in their hands. ❜

❛ I cannot bear this world a moment longer. ❜

❛ I have a better idea. I will do as I please. ❜

❛ All my life has been murk and depths, but I am not a part of that dark water. I am a creature within it. ❜

❛ You cannot know how frightened gods are of pain. There is nothing more foreign to them, and so nothing they ache more deeply to see. ❜

❛ When we are young, we think ourselves the first to have each feeling in the world. ❜

❛ When I was born, the word for what I was did not exist. ❜

❛ But perhaps no parent can truly see their child. When we look we see only the mirror of our own faults. ❜

❛ I will not be like a bird bred in a cage, too dull to fly even when the door stands open. ❜

❛ This is what it means to swim in the tide, to walk the earth and feel it touch your feet. This is what it means to be alive. ❜

❛ You threw me to the crows, but it turns out I prefer them to you. ❜

❛ Yet because I knew nothing, nothing was beneath me. ❜

❛ If now I am wise, it is only because I have been fool enough for a hundred lifetimes. ❜

❛ You can teach a viper to eat from your hands, but you cannot take away how much it likes to bite. ❜

❛ Give me the blade. Some things are worth spilling blood for. ❜

❛ I have been old and stern for so long, carved with regrets and years like a monolith. But that is only a shape I’ve been poured into. I do not have to keep it. ❜

❛ I wake sometimes in the dark terrified by my life’s precariousness, its thready breath. ❜

❛ Understanding the world is a matter of keeping very still and showing no emotions, leaving room for others to reveal themselves. ❜

❛ Beneath the smooth, familiar face of things is another that waits to tear the world in two. ❜

❛ The truth is, men make terrible pigs. ❜

❛ My father has never been able to imagine the world without himself in it. ❜

❛ This is the grief that makes our kind choose to be stones and trees rather than flesh. ❜

❛ Witches are not so delicate. ❜

❛ Those who fight against prophecy only draw it more tightly around their throats. ❜

❛ I learned that I could bend the world to my will, as a bow is bent for an arrow. I would have done that toil a thousand times to keep such power in my hands. ❜

[obirains-archive]

🌳 some flora asks 🌳

willow: what do you find haunting, but beautiful?

pine: what is your favorite scent?

fir: which tropes/archetypes do you find the most and the least compelling?

oak: what is your greatest strength?

maple: what is your greatest weakness?

pear tree: who or what inspires you to be better?

elm: what is your greatest dream in life?

teak: are you learning a different language? what language would you most like to learn?

ivy: which period of history interests you the most?

fern: if you could turn to anyone for guidance, who would it be?

dogwood: how do you feel about your hometown?

laurel: how would you describe your music taste?

yew: what is your greatest fear?

birch: what gives you hope when you’re feeling down?

almond: do you believe in god?

alder: how do you relate to mortality?

olive: do you enjoy poetry? if so, what kind?

hawthorn: what is something you don’t like about yourself?

cherry blossom: what is your personal aesthetic?

citrus: what is a trait you can’t stand (in yourself or in others)?

bonsai: what is something you could spend hours, even days doing?

cactus: in what kind of environments do you thrive?

lavender: what is your bedtime routine?

rose: what is the most important quality in a partner?

lily: what is your love language?

tulip: what is your dream travel destination?

daisy: how often do you let yourself rest?

dandelion: what would you find hardest to let go?

waterlily: how do you feel about change?

wisteria: how do you define love?

magnolia: how do you define beauty?

forget-me-not: what is the memory you most cling to?

orchid: what kind of a first impression do you make?

sunflower: what never fails to brighten your day?

periwinkle: what makes you nostalgic?

elanor: if you were a literary genre, which would you be?

[leneemusing]

⚔ the princess bride sentence starters ⚔

“  you  mock  my  pain!  ”  “  life  is  pain.  ” “  he’s  only  mostly  dead.  ” “  i’m on  the  brute  squad.  ” “  you  are  the  brute  squad.  ” “  prepare  to  die.  ” “  we’ll  never  survive.  ” “  nonsense.  you’re  only  saying  that  because  no  one  ever  has.  ” “  who  are  you?  ” “  get  used  to  disappointment.  ” “  you  keep  using  that  word.  i  do  not  think  it  means  what  you  think  it  means.  ” “  i’ll  use  small  words  so  that  you’ll  be  sure  to  understand,  you  warthog  faced  buffoon.  ” “  that  may  be  the  first  time  in  my  life  a  man  dared  insult  me.  ” “  drop.  your.  sword.  ” “  shut  up!!  ”   “  you’ve  made  your  decision  then?  ” “  i  bet  my  life  on  it!  ” “  truly,  you  have  dizzying  intellect.  ” “  you’re  just  stalling  now.  ” “  you  guessed  wrong.  ” “  enough  of  that.  ”  “  surrender.  ” “  you  mean  you  wish  to  surrender  to  me?  very  well,  i  accept.  ” “  i  hate  waiting.  ” “  morons.  ” “  you  are  wonderful.  ” “  you  seem  a  decent  fellow,  i  hate  to  kill   you.  ” “  why  are  you  smiling?  ” “  because  i  know  something  you  don’t  know.  ” “  goodnight.  good  work.  i’ll  most  likely  kill  you  in  the  morning.  ” “  oh,  there’s  something  i  ought  to  tell  you.  ” “  think  it’ll  work?  ” “  it  would  take  miracle.  ” “  hear  this  now —  i  will  always  come  for  you.  ” “  this  is  true  love,  you  think  this  happens  every  day?  ” “  death  cannot  stop  true  love.  ” “  i  died  that  day.  ” “  we  may  as  well  die  here.  ” “  he’s  dead.  he  can’t  talk.  ”   “  as  you  wish.  ”   “  why  didn’t  you  wait  for  me?  ”   “  you  can  die  slowly,  cut  into  a  thousand  pieces.  ” “  you  killed  my  love.  ” “  it’s  possible. i  kill  a  lot  of  people.  ”   “  yes,  you’re  very  smart.  shut  up.  ”   “  you’ve  been  mostly-dead  all  day.  ”  “  inconceivable!!  ”  “  let  me  explain.  ”   “  your vote of confidence is overwhelming.  ” “  what  hideous  sin  have  you  committed  lately?  ” “  will  you  ever  forgive  me?  ” “  there’s a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. it would be a pity to damage yours.  ”  

[anotherrpmemeblog]

Send “Rumour has it...” and a rumour about my muse in my ask!

My muse will then react to it being spread.

[baymakesmemes-blog]

pride & prejudice (2005) sentence starters pt. 1

[ some lines have been edited to make sense on their own. as always, feel free to make any needed adjustments to suit your muses ]

“As you wish to tell me, my dear, I doubt I have any choice in the matter.” “What have I told you about listening at the door?” “Are you listening? You never listen.” “How can you tease me so? Have you no compassion for my poor nerves?” “Now, if every man in the room does not end the evening in love with you, then I am no judge of beauty.” “One of these days, someone will catch your eye, and then you’ll have to watch your tongue!” “He looks miserable, poor soul.” “I mean, I can read, of course!” “I’ve never seen so many pretty girls in my life.” “She is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld.” “She’s perfectly tolerable, I dare say. And not handsome enough to tempt me.” “You’d better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles. You’re wasting your time with me.” “Count your blessings. If he liked you, you’d have to talk to him.” “I wonder who first discovered the power of poetry in driving away love?” “I thought poetry was the food of love.” “So what would you recommend to encourage affection?” “You know perfectly well I don’t believe marriage should be driven by a lot of money.” “Only the deepest love will persuade me into matrimony, which I why shall end up an old maid.” “He danced with you most of the night and stared at you the rest of it.” “I could more easily forgive his vanity if he had not wounded mine.” “Your skills in the art of matchmaking are positively occult.” “Although I don’t think you can reasonably take credit for making it rain.” “You drop something, they pick it up, and then you’re introduced.” “I think it’s amazing you young ladies have the patience to be so accomplished.” “I never saw such a woman. She would certainly be a fearsome thing to behold.” “I can admire you much better from here.” “Would you consider pride a virtue or a fault?” “We’re doing our best to find fault in you.” “I find it hard to forgive the follies and vices of others, or their offenses against me. My good opinion, once lost, is lost forever.” “Oh dear, I cannot tease you about that. What a shame, for I dearly love to laugh.” “I think a ball is a perfectly irrational way to make new acquaintance.” “What excellent boiled potatoes. It’s been many years since I’ve had such an exemplary vegetable.” “How happy for you to possess the talent for flattering with such delicacy.” “Believe me, no one would suspect your manners to be rehearsed.” “I can’t be trusted. I have very poor taste in ribbons.” “Only a man truly confident in himself could admit to that.” “Ignore me. I’m of next to no importance, so it’s easily done.” “You can’t invite people to other people’s balls.” “It is not for me to be driven away. If he wishes to avoid seeing me, he must go, not I.” “We were both with him the day he died.” “I still think there must have been a misunderstanding.”  “I’m so pleased you’re here.” “Are you looking for someone?”  “I’m just admiring the general splendor.” “I did not think you danced.” “In fact, several people have complimented me on my lightness of foot.” “It is my intention, if I may be so bold, to remain close to you throughout the evening.” “It would be most inconvenient, since I have sworn to loathe him for all eternity.”  “No, I prefer to be unsociable and taciturn. Makes it all so much more enjoyable, don’t you think?” “Why do you ask such a question?”