Let's just run, huh?" Bob picked up the pace, hoping to…
““Let's just run, huh?" Bob picked up the pace, hoping to tire his partner into silence. "That reminds me," Bernie puffed, "you know what you've told me is buried in the Fort Knox of my brain. The whole Gestapo couldn't get it out of me. But--" "But what?" "I'd really like to tell Nance. I mean husbands and wives shouldn't have secrets from each other." Bob did not respond. "Beckwith, I swear, Nancy's the soul of honour. The epitome of discretion. Besides, she'll notice I'm holding something out on her. I mean, God knows what she'll think it is." "She'd never guess," Bob said wryly. "That's just the point. Please, Beckwith, Nance'll be discreet. I swear on my clients' lives." The pressure was too great. "Okay, Bern," he sighed, "but not too many details, huh?" "Don't sweat. Just the essential wild fact--if you know what I mean." "Yeah. When will you tell her?" Three strides later Bernie answered sheepishly, "Last night.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A tense exchange reveals a man's reluctance to fully disclose a secret to his wife, fearing judgment and the loss of discretion, while his partner pushes for honesty.
In simple terms: Balancing secrecy and transparency in marriage.
Key Takeaway
Secrets strain trust.
Themes
trust
communication
marriage
secrecy
honesty
Mood
tension
anxiety
wry humor
Type
dialogue
narrative excerpt
When to use this quote
- marital counseling
- confessing a hidden affair
- discussing a personal mistake
- navigating a moral dilemma
Key Concepts
intimacy
power dynamics
fear of judgment
Practical Applications
- relationship therapy
- conflict resolution workshops
Questions to Reflect On
- What are the consequences of withholding truth from a partner?
- How can couples foster an environment where difficult truths are shared without fear?