“"In twenty years," I said, smiling at her tears, "a man grows humble, Mary. I have stored within me a great fund of affection, with nobody to give it to, and I swear to you, on the word of a soldier, that if there is one of those ladies who can be got to care for me I shall be very proud." Despite her semblance of delight I knew that she was wondering at me, and I wondered at myself, but it was true.”

— J. M. Barrie, book The Little White Bird

Source: The Little White Bird (1902), Ch. 26

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J. M. Barrie49

Scottish writer 1860–1937

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