Soul longings

“I just have a feeling," Dortmunder said. "This is turning into one of those dreams where you keep running down the same corridor and you never get anywhere.”
― Donald Westlake

“I rolled on my side and propped myself on my elbow. “I told you how that happened. I just got the instructions mixed up. This is Approach No. 2, known as the waiting game. You want me to explain how it works? You take these two citizens, A and B, we’ll call ‘em—“
She laughed, and picked up the charcoal stick again. “All right. I’ve been warned. But didn’t your instruction book warn you?”
“About what?” I asked.
“That your Approach No. 2, as you call it, won’t work after it’s been explained.”
“Killjoy. Now I’ve got to buy a new manual.”
― Charles Williams

“Is that a no?" she asks
. "Once burned, twice shy," Sam chimes in.
"I like Wilde's quote better," Caitlin rejoins. "What's that?" I ask.
"The burnt child loves the fire."

The Quiet Game. The Quiet Game (Kindle Locations 1477-1479). Kindle Edition.”
― Greg Iles

“First,” I said, “I’m sorry about the other day. I must have had the book open at the wrong place.”
The violet eyes glanced up at me, and then became confused and looked away. “It’s all right,” she said.
“Then you’re not mad at me?”
She shook her head. “Not any more.”
“That’s fine,” I said. “Now we can start even again. Next time I’ll read the instructions on the bottle.”
― Charles Williams, The Hot Spot