Whenever we went up to put flowers on Father’s grave, Big Joe would go off on his own, hunting for more creatures to add to his collection; that’s when he wasn’t just standing there gazing up at the tower and singing Oranges and Lemons at the top of his voice and watching the swifts screaming around the church tower. Nothing seemed to make him happier than that.引自 Oranges and Lemons
“I like Big Joe. He’s kind. I like people who are kind.”
“There's a mouse in here with me. He's sitting there in the light of the lamp, looking up at me. He seems as surprised to see me as I am to see him. There he goes. I can hear him still, scurrying about somewhere under the hayrick. I think he's gone now. I hope he comes back. I miss him already.”
“We're much alike, bee, you and me," I said. "You may carry your pack underneath you and your rifle may stick out of your bottom. But you and me, bee, are much alike.”
“Being his real brother I could feel I live in his shadows, but I never have and I do not now. I live in his glow.”
“I want no tears, Tommo,” he whispers in my ear. “This is going to be difficult enough without tears.”
He holds me at arm’s length. “Understand?”
I can do no more than nod.引自 Oranges and Lemons