He was experimenting with being ardently sympathetic with everybody he met. He thought that might make the world a slightly more pleasant place to live in. He called Billy's mother 'dear' He was experimenting with calling everybody dear.

“Most of us, if we get married nowadays, are just one more person for the other …”

“Charm was a scheme for making strangers like and trust a person immediately, no…”

“I love you sons of bitches. You’re all I read any more. You're the only ones wh…”

“Love may fail, but courtesy will prevail.”