Leave Her to Heaven

"Father used to say it was like riding across the front lawn of heaven. We made a pact to bring our ashes here when we died. If you die first, I told him, Ill bring yours here. If I die first, youll bring mine. Yet, I know now, people you love dont really die."

"I have no intention of hiring a cook or a housekeeper or any other servants....Ever...I dont want anybody else but me to do anything for you. I want to keep your house and wash your clothes and cook your food....And besides, I dont want anybody else in the house but us....Ever."

"I assure you, I dont want to shirk any responsibility. Im thinking only of Danny, and I - no, that isnt true. Im thinking a little about myself, too. I know youll understand, Dr. Mason. I gave up my honeymoon to come here so that my husband could be with his brother. But hes been working, and the burdens been on me. Ive spent hours here every day. I was glad to do it. It was no sacrifice at all. I love Danny as much as he does and Im just as happy as he is that Dannys doing so well. But after all, hes a cripple. [pause] Im sorry. I didnt mean to say that...I didnt mean it. Im afraid I havent been too well myself lately."

"[describing her nightmare] We were out in the skiff, my husband and I, and he jumped in for a swim. But I was too lazy, so I just rowed after him. Somehow I was afraid, and when we got to the middle of the lake, I thought it was time for him to get back into the boat. So I decided to call out to him, but I had no voice. Suddenly, Richard went under, not diving, but the way seals do, just sort of settling in the water. Then he came up again, and one of his arms flung out to me as if he were trying to call to me. I tried to row to him, but the lake was like glue. The boat wouldnt move. My arms were paralyzed. Then he went down again. And this time he stayed down."

"I hate your chapter. I hate all your chapters. They take up too much of your time...After all, it isnt as if you had to write for a living. Ive got more than enough for both of us, and darling, its the dearest wish of my heart to support you....Oh darling, I didnt know it could be so wonderful here, Back of the Moon....Every minute. If only it werent so crowded."

"Not that I mind chaperones, not in the least. But theres Dannys room on one side of us and Thornes room on the other side. And the walls as thin as paper, and the acoustics disgustingly perfect....Do you know ever since weve been married, weve never been alone, not for a single day?"

"I keep forgetting you cant draw a deep breath in this room without being heard all over the house. Lets change the name of the place from Back of the Moon to Goldfish Manor."

"This babys making a prisoner of me....I cant do anything. I cant go any place. I dont even see my husband... I dont want him to see me this way."

"Is anything wrong, Richard? You look so strange. Youve been avoiding me, going off by yourself. Where do you go? What do you think about? Whatever it is, cant you share it with me? We havent done that for a long time - shared things. Ever since Danny. Youve never forgiven me for that, have you? Youve always blamed me. You did tell me not to let him swim the lake unless you were with us but, but we wanted to surprise you. Danny was so happy planning to surprise you. Hed been doing so well. He swam three-quarters the day before and he was sure he could make it. The water was so warm. I thought there was no danger. I must have looked away for a moment, and then when I looked back, Danny was sinking. I pulled at the oars and then lost one. And then I grew panicky. It was like a nightmare!"

"Itll be the truth and nothing but the truth. Any resemblance to flattery will be sheer coincidence...While I was watching you, exotic words drifted across the mirror of my mind as summer clouds drift across the sky...Watching you, I thought of tales in the Arabian Nights of myrrh and frankincense and... patchouli."

"Glen Robie: Well, of all the seven deadly sins, jealousy is the most deadly."

"Glen Robie: He got two years. But Ellen had lost. I guess its the only time she didnt come out first."