No human being can go on living in the same house with a pigeon, a pigeon is the epitome of chaos and anarchy. — Patrick Süskind

Whatever came within his field of vision Jonathan coated with the vile patina of his hate.

If this one, most essential freedom was taken from you, the freedom, that is, to withdraw from other people when necessity called, then all other freedoms were worthless. Then life had no more meaning. Then it would be better to be dead.

He had found his way to sphinxlike imperturbability.