For thirteen whole years I thought of nothing but myself, my miserable self, all shut up in that little town.

I talked to no one.

I did not even read--I used to sit in the dark of the cathedral nave and listen to the organ.

I'd walk in the orchards and the woods.

I would wonder, wonder, wonder about people and I grew more and more frightened of talking, of meeting people, of little local dinner-parties.