No man sees himself in a mirror as he really is, nor any woman. - Colleen McCullough

Was war eigentlich Besonderes mit dem nächtlichen Himmel? Dass, wie von einer sonst verschlossenen Truhe, der blaue Deckel des Tages hochgeklappt worden war und der Mensch nun gleichsam einen Blick werfen konnte in die Ewigkeit?

loved, and indulged to the full extent of her father

Something in her little soul was old enough and woman enough to feel the irresistible, stinging joy of being needed; she sat rocking his head back and forth, until his grief expended itself in emptiness.