Sinclair Lewis

“ Nope, you're kind to your cat, Milt, but you weren't cut out to be no parlor-organ duet."
⁠This meditative young man might have been discovered walking past the porch of the hotel, his hands in his pockets, his eyes presumably on the stars - certainly he gave no signs of watching Claire and the man in riding-breeches as they leaned over the rail, looked at mountain-tops filmy in starlight, while in the cologne-atomized mode, Breeches quoted: [143]
Ah, 'tis far heaven my awed heart seeks, When I behold those mighty peaks. ”

“ You'll go right through it. By and by, when you're so rich that father and I won't be allowed to associate with you, you'll wear riding-breeches - but for riding, not as a donation to the beauties of nature. ”

“ The creepy jackass, I don't believe he's ever been on a horse in his life! He thinks riding-breeches are the -"
⁠"Oh, that's it. Breeches not pants."
⁠"-last word in smartness. Overdressing is just ten degrees worse than underdressing." ”

“ Himself, he grunted, "I never could get much het up about this poetry that's full of Ah's and 'tises."
⁠Claire must have seen Milt just after he had sauntered past. She cried, "Oh, Mr. Daggett! Just a moment!" She left Breeches, ran down to Milt. He was frightened. Was he going to get what he deserved for eavesdropping?
⁠She was almost whispering. "Save me from our friend up on the porch," she implored.
⁠He couldn't believe it. But he took a chance. "Won't you have a little walk?" he roared. ”