You wouldn’t believe what that would fetch. Of course the…
““You wouldn’t believe what that would fetch. Of course the really valuable ones are the doubles, but they’re rare.” “You mean two eyes from the same person? From someone who’s lost both eyes?” Mr. Carter nodded. “I’ve got three pairs and they’re worth more than the rest put together.” He put out a hand toward a blue velvet box, then changed his mind. The doubles were too valuable to show a child. “I tell you,” said Mr. Carter, “if this house went up in flames, it’s my collection I’d save.” “After you’d saved your wife and the twins,” said Maia. He looked up sharply. “Eh? Yes. Yes, of course--that goes without saying. Now, what was it you wanted?” “Miss Minton wondered whether you might have a map or a chart of the country round the house. It’s just to borrow for a little while.” Mr. Carter sighed, but he got up and began to rummage in a number of drawers. “Here you are,” he said, returning with a rolled-up chart. “It covers ten square miles behind the house. Bring it back.” Maia thanked him and left. She had never seen such a sad room or such a sad hobby.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A collector values rare double-eyed artifacts, showing obsession can outweigh moral concerns.
In simple terms: Obsession with rare items can blind ethics.
Key Takeaway
Beware letting obsession override empathy.
Themes
greed
obsession
morality
collecting
Mood
somber
reflective
Type
narrative
ethical
When to use this quote
- family safety
- artifact trade
- emotional manipulation
- heritage preservation
Key Concepts
value of rarity
ethical dilemmas
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you sacrifice for a prized possession?
- How does rarity affect moral judgment?
A Different Perspective
The collector’s willingness to sacrifice lives for items is morally reprehensible.