Louisa May Alcott

“ Look here. Ted, if you'd killed a man, would it trouble you—a bad one, I mean?'
The lad opened his mouth to say, 'Not a bit,' but checked that answer as if something in Dan's face made him change his mind. ”

“ Out there they have wild doings, and it's my belief you were in some of 'em. I don't mean robbing mails, and KluKluxing, and that sort of thing; but defending the settlers, or hanging some scamp, or even shooting a few, as a fellow must sometimes, in self-defence. Ah, ha! I've hit it, I see. Needn't speak; I know the flash of your old eye, and the clench of your big fist.' And Ted pranced with satisfaction.
'Drive on, smart boy, and don't lose the trail,' said Dan, finding a curious sense of comfort in some of these random words, and longing, but not daring, to confirm the true ones. ”

“ So do I, and I'm as proud as Punch over it; but I see by your eyes that there was something else before that, and I'm bound to find out who Blair and Mason are, and who was hit and who ran away, and all the rest of it.'
'What!' cried Dan, in a tone that made Ted jump.
'Well, you used to mutter about 'em in your sleep, and Uncle Laurie wondered. So did I; but don't mind, if you can't remember, or would rather not.'
'What else did I say? Queer, what stuff a man will talk when his wits are gone.'
'That's all I heard ”

“ Women don't see it that way, and look horrified at such things. Makes it hard; but it don't matter.'
'Don't tell 'em; then they can't worry,' said Ted, with the nod of one versed in the management of the sex.
'Don't intend to. Mind you keep your notions to yourself, for some of 'em are wide of the mark. Now you may read if you like'; and there the talk ended; but Ted took great comfort in it, and looked as wise as an owl afterwards.
A few quiet weeks followed, during which Dan chafed at the delay ”

“ It is a strong temptation to the weary historian to close the present tale with an earthquake which should engulf Plumfield and its environs so deeply in the bowels of the earth that no youthful Schliemann could ever find a vestige of it. ”

“ Nat is your work, Fritz, and I congratulate you heartily.'
'Ach, we can but sow the seed and trust that it falls on good ground. I planted, perhaps, but you watched that the fowls of the air did not devour it, and brother Laurie watered generously; so we will share the harvest among us, and be glad even for a small one, heart's-dearest.'
'I thought the seed had fallen on very stony ground with my poor Dan ”