We all have contempt for whatever there's too many of. Out here it's sheep, but in the city it's people. - Colleen McCullough

It's not worth getting upset about, Mrs. Dominic. Down in the city they don't know how the other half lives, and they can afford the luxury of doting on their animals as if they were children. Out here it's different. You'll never see man, woman or child in need of help go ignored out here, yet in the city those same people who dote on their pets will completely ignore a cry of help from a human being.

- Питай Господ, Ралф. - отвърна Меги - Той знае всичко за болката. Нали той ни е създал такива - и нас, и целия свят. Значи той е създал и болката.

Meggie dropped to her knees, scrambling frantically to collect the miniature clothes before more damage was done them, then she began picking among the grass blades where she thought the pearls might have fallen. Her tears were blinding her, the grief in her heart new, for until now she had never owned anything worth grieving for.