But I embraced the suck and shelled out three thousand dollars for something I didn't want and something that would give me nothing to show for.

Oh, Ennis, oh God Almighty, Ennis. What's the hell's got into you these last few weeks? Oh, Jesus wept, what am I going to do with you? Major Muir wrung his hands.

Stet that colon.

[…] having finished her piano-forte practice, touched her harp twice, and arpeggioed the Spanish Fandango on her guitar, Miss Betty read two paragraphs of “Gilbert” […]