Henry James quote about meaning from The Portrait of a Lady - I never know what I mean in my telegrams—especially those I send from America. Clearness is too expensive.
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I never know what I mean in my telegrams—especially those I send from America. Clearness is too expensive.
 Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady (1881). copy citation

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Author Henry James
Source The Portrait of a Lady
Topic meaning cost clearness
Date 1881
Language English
Reference
Note
Weblink http://www.gutenberg.org/files/2833/2833-h/2833-h.htm

Context

“I shall do absolutely nothing with her, and she herself will do everything she chooses. She gave me notice of that.»
«What you meant then, in your telegram, was that her character's independent.»
«I never know what I mean in my telegrams—especially those I send from America. Clearness is too expensive. Come down to your father.»
«It's not yet a quarter to eight,» said Ralph.
«I must allow for his impatience,» Mrs. Touchett answered. Ralph knew what to think of his father's impatience; but, making no rejoinder, he offered his mother his arm.” source

Meaning and analysis

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