A foolish man tells a woman to stop talking, a wise man tells her that her mouth looks extremely beautiful when her lips are closed. - Robert Bloch

No trouble at all. Mother’s gone back to bed, and she won’t be doing any cooking — I was only going to set out some cold cuts and make some coffee. If that’s all right with you.” “Well — —

"It's all right", he said, wondering at the same time why there were no better words, why there never are any better words to answer fear and grief and loneliness. "It's all right, believe me."

Henderson sighed. There was a time, he reflected, when the coming of this night meant something. A dark Europe, groaning in superstitious fear, dedicated this Eve to the grinning Unknown. A million doors had once been barred against the evil visitants, a million prayers mumbled, a million candles lit. There was something majestic about the idea, Henderson reflected.