- Bobby Platt: Why did you bury the rabbit?
- Mr. Summers: 'Cause it was dead, boy. Because I wanted to. When a creature is killed, I return it to the earth. I consider it my work.
- Bobby Platt: Your work?
- Mr. Summers: Rabbits are generally thought to be pleasing animals. Whereas, rats, for example, are generally detested. Both are living creatures of equal value in nature's scheme. When they're dead, they should be buried.
- Bobby Platt: It's funny. I can see my old self quite clearly. Remembering how I felt is much, much harder. Sometimes feelings come back to me when I'm digging, or in a dream. But mostly he's gone, that earlier me, who could hardly do anything, or even think anything. I mean I could read a bit, I could write a bit. I could talk... but I hardly ever did.