Lawrence Block Quote

Keller sat in his hotel room with his purchases on the desk in front of him, pleased with what he’d acquired and the bargain prices he’d paid, but a little bit anxious at having spent so much money. He had dinner again that night with McEwell, and confided some of what he was feeling. I know what you mean, McEwell said, and I’ve been there myself. I remember the first time I paid over a thousand dollars for a single stamp. It’s a milestone. Well, it was for me. And I said to the dealer, ‘You know, that’s a lot of money.’ And he said, Well, it is, but you’re only going to buy that stamp once.’ I never thought of it that way, Keller said. —HIT MAN