the nice thing about english degrees

you come across stuff you really like.

'Truth disappears with history and gossip tells us in the end nothing of personal relationships. There are stories of elopements, unrequited love, family feuds, and exhausting vendettas, which everyone was drawn into, had to be involved with. But nothing is said of the closeness between two people: how they grew in the shade of each other's presence. No one speaks of that exchange of gift or character - the way a person took on and recognised in himself the smile of a lover. Individuals are seen only in the context of these swirling social tides. It was almost impossible for a couple to do anything without rumour leaving their shoulders like a flock of messenger pigeons. Where is the intimate or truthful in all this? And why do i want to know of such privacy? After cups of tea, coffee, public conversations, i want to sit down with someone and talk with utter directness, want to talk to all the lost history like that deserving lover.'