--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There was something written in pencil in…" description: "\"“There was something written in pencil in the bottom corner, smudged and faded. I leaned in until my nose was almost pressed against the glass. Narnia ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9c/melissa-jensen-1612_another-time_there-was-something-written-in-pencil-in_1261363.jpg" --- # There was something written in pencil in the bottom… ![“There was something written in pencil in the bottom corner, smudged and faded. I leaned in until my nose was almost pressed against the glass. Narnia , it looked like. I must have stared for a lot longer than it seemed. A tap on the door had my jumping. "Ella?" A second later. "Um...Ella? You okay…” quote by Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9c/melissa-jensen-1612_another-time_there-was-something-written-in-pencil-in_1261363.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9c/melissa-jensen-1612_another-time_there-was-something-written-in-pencil-in_1261363.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b9c/melissa-jensen-1612_another-time_there-was-something-written-in-pencil-in_1261363.jpg) > ““There was something written in pencil in the bottom corner, smudged and faded. I leaned in until my nose was almost pressed against the glass. Narnia , it looked like. I must have stared for a lot longer than it seemed. A tap on the door had my jumping. "Ella?" A second later. "Um...Ella? You okay in there?" Alex looked red-faced and startled when I jerked the door open. Even more so when I grabbed his wrist with both of my hands and pulled him into the bathroom. Another time,I might have been equally red-faced. I would definitely have been uncomfortable, even if it wasn't in a bad way. But at the moment,I was too busy in a different part of my head. I let go of him and pointed to the sketch. "That's a Willing." "Is it?" He didn't look particularly impressed. More relieved that I hadn't fallen and hit my head or had some similar mishap. "Edward Willing. You have to know who Edward Willing is." He peered past me. "Philadelphia painter. Early twentieth century, right? I was in your art history class last year,you know." I didn't.Not really. "You were?" "I sat in back.You sat in front. Never saw your face during class,but I remember you arguing with Evers about Dali.I remember. You don't like Dali." "Not much." "You like this guy?" "Yeah." I took a breath. "Yeah.I do. And you have one of his sketches. In your guest bathroom. ”” [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A character reflects on a barely remembered art reference, revealing social awkwardness and hidden knowledge in a casual encounter. **In simple terms:** A brief art discussion exposes personal discomfort and curiosity. Key Takeaway Notice how small details can spark deeper connections. Themes social anxiety art history memory conversation Mood awkward curious reflective Type dialogue character‑driven contemporary fiction When to use this quote - school hallway - art class - bathroom sketch - unexpected meeting Key Concepts cultural literacy interpersonal dynamics Questions to Reflect On - What does this moment reveal about the characters' relationship? - How do forgotten details shape our interactions? A Different Perspective The reference may be obscure, limiting its impact on readers unfamiliar with the artist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Art history](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/art-history/) ## Related quotes > [All of my heroes, like Dali, are people who pioneered various forms of cinema.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/all-of-my-heroes-like-dali-are-people-who-pioneered-various-forms-of/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [“I didn't like Dali: now, like you, I do. Like you, I began to drink my Coke with a pinch of salt . Like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sachin-kundalkar/i-didn-t-like-dali-now-like-you-i-do-like-you-i-began-to-drink-my/) [Sachin Kundalkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sachin-kundalkar/) > [I like Dali and Magritte. I also like the Scottish artist John Byrne, another surrealist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-connolly/i-like-dali-and-magritte-i-also-like-the-scottish-artist-john-byrne/) [Billy Connolly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-connolly/) > [I think what inspires me is in a constant state of flux...it's easier to stick to photographers and perhaps cinematographers, though the great medieval,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-yelchin/i-think-what-inspires-me-is-in-a-constant-state-of-flux-it-s-easier/) [Anton Yelchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-yelchin/) > [“I noticed that she left her office door open, too.So she could keep an eye on me, no doubt, in case I decided to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/i-noticed-that-she-left-her-office-door-open-too-so-she-could-keep-an/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) > [I was at one point thinking about being an art historian, when I was in school. And not being an artist, but I decided…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-barry/i-was-at-one-point-thinking-about-being-an-art-historian-when-i-was/) [Robert Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-barry/) > [This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/this-is-an-hour-of-history-that-troubles-our-minds-and-hurts-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I believe in originality, primarily. However, it's important to know what there has been before to aim in that direction. Art history informs us.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-treacy/i-believe-in-originality-primarily-however-it-s-important-to-know/) [Philip Treacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-treacy/) > [I majored in art history. 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Edward's most famous painting of Diana is Troie , where he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-jensen/favorite-painting-painting-odalisque-i-said-really-his-non-nude-nude/) [Melissa Jensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) [Explore all 217 Melissa Jensen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-jensen/) ## More Another time quotes > [A very small percentage of the people in this world will actually experience and live today. So many people will be stuck on another…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-maraboli/a-very-small-percentage-of-the-people-in-this-world-will-actually/) [Steve Maraboli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-maraboli/) > [You know what really made me sick? 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You okay in there?\" Alex looked red-faced and startled when I jerked the door open. Even more so when I grabbed his wrist with both of my hands and pulled him into the bathroom. Another time,I might have been equally red-faced. I would definitely have been uncomfortable, even if it wasn't in a bad way. But at the moment,I was too busy in a different part of my head. I let go of him and pointed to the sketch. \"That's a Willing.\" \"Is it?\" He didn't look particularly impressed. More relieved that I hadn't fallen and hit my head or had some similar mishap. \"Edward Willing. You have to know who Edward Willing is.\" He peered past me. \"Philadelphia painter. Early twentieth century, right? I was in your art history class last year,you know.\" I didn't.Not really. \"You were?\" \"I sat in back.You sat in front. Never saw your face during class,but I remember you arguing with Evers about Dali.I remember. You don't like Dali.\" \"Not much.\" \"You like this guy?\" \"Yeah.\" I took a breath. \"Yeah.I do. And you have one of his sketches. 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