When Kino had finished, Juana came back to the fire and ate her breakfast. They had spoken once, but there is not need for speech if it is only a hab… - John Steinbeck

They had spoken once, but there is not need for speech if it is only a habit anyay. Kino sighed with satisfaction — and that was conversation.

And, of course, people are interested only in themselves. If a story is not about the hearer he will not listen.

Ghosts could walk freely tonight, without fear of the disbelief of men; for this night was haunted, and it would be an insensitive man who did not know it.

Part of the far shore disappeared into a shimmer that looked like water. There was no certainty in seeing, no proof that what you saw was there or was not there. And the people of the Gulf expected all places were that way, and it was not strange to them.