True maturity is only reached when a man realizes he has become a father figure to his girlfriends' boyfriends - and he accepts it.

Earlier in his life he had done many foolish things in order to convince himself that he was not worthless.

The thought crossed his mind that he ought to have married her and not gone rambling. If he had, he wouldn’t be in such a fix. But he felt little fear; just an overpowering fatigue. Life had slipped out of line. It was unfair, it was too bad, but he couldn’t find the energy to fight it any longer.

As she was finishing her song, the notes dipped down low – they carried a sadness that was more than a sadness at the death of men; rather it was a sadness at the lives of men, and of women. It reminded those who heard the rising, dipping notes, of notes of hopes that had been born, and, yet, died; of promise, and the failure of promise.

You told me to stay,” July said. “I know I did, son,” Augustus said. “I’m sure you wish you had. But yesterday’s gone on down the river and you can’t get it back. Go on with your digging and I’ll tidy up.

People got opinions, that’s all they’ve got.

You don’t get the pint, Woodrow,” Augustus said. “I’ve walked the earth in my pride all these years. If that’s lost, then let the rest be lost with it. There’s certain things my vanity won’t abide.

During the day he had not trusted enough, and had worn himself out with pointless scurryings.

When the lightning struck, the whole prairie would be bathed for a second in white light.

In fact, July felt he had reached a point in his life where virtually nothing was known.