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I rang the bell and she opened the door, dried her hands…

“I rang the bell and she opened the door, dried her hands, and said heartily: 'Hello, stranger. I was just saying to Cliff only tonight, it's about time you showed up around here.' I wanted to detach him from her, but first I had to sit through about ten minutes of her. She was my sister, but you…” quote by Cornell Woolrich
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“I rang the bell and she opened the door, dried her hands, and said heartily: 'Hello, stranger. I was just saying to Cliff only tonight, it's about time you showed up around here.' I wanted to detach him from her, but first I had to sit through about ten minutes of her. She was my sister, but you don't tell women things like I wanted to tell him. I don't know why, but you don't. You tell them the things you have under control; the things that you're frightened of, you tell other men if you tell anyone.”

Cornell Woolrich

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A narrator describes a tense encounter with a sister, revealing hidden motives and the difficulty of sharing personal secrets with women.

In simple terms: Secret motives complicate family interactions.

Key Takeaway

Choose honesty over concealment.

Themes

family secrets communication

Mood

reflective conflicted

Type

narrative psychological

When to use this quote

  • family gatherings
  • conflict
  • personal revelation
  • relationship building

Key Concepts

psychology trust gender dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Why is it hard to share vulnerable thoughts with women?
  • How can openness improve family bonds?
A Different Perspective

The narrative may reinforce gender stereotypes.

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