As so often happens in life, he had thought so much and so often of the situation that now confronted him that he was somewhat nervous in its presenc… - Sherwood Anderson

All men lead their lives behind a wall of misunderstanding they have themselves built and most men die in silence and unnoticed behind the walls. Now and then a man, cut off from his fellows by the peculiarities of his nature, becomes absorbed in doing something that is personal, useful and beautiful. Word of his activities is carried over the walls.

It hadn't shocked the old woman, not much. She had got past being shocked early in life.

I am a lover and have not found my thing to love. That is a big point if you know enough to realize what I mean. It makes my destruction inevitable, you see. There are few who understand that.