“Course I care. I always care. But there's no point in making a song and dance about it, like that night he stayed here. Know something? There's only one thing that'll bring 'em back, and that's indifference. The one thing you can't fake.''But you are faking it.''At the moment I might be. But as soon as it stops being faked and starts being real, he'll turn up. Rule number one of modern life.”Helen Garner book The Children's BachPage 80. The Children's Bach (1984)
“It's rather like a Poe story, isn't it,' said Patrick luxuriously, unfocusing his eyes. 'A person sees the chance of a better life passing by, and he makes as if to call out' - he flung one arm in the imploring gesture of a soul in torment - 'but something in his nature makes him hesitate. He pauses… he closes his lips… he steps back… and then he slides down, and down, and down.”Helen Garner book Cosmo CosmolinoPage 8. Cosmo Cosmolino (1992)
“Didn't this used to be our dining-room table back at Sutherland Street, Frank?' said Kathleen.'Yep. Four dollars at the Anchorage, remember? That was when I cornered the market in cane chairs, too.''Come off it! We only had three.''Yes, but the price had doubled by the following Saturday.”Helen Garner Page 26. Honour (1980)