The sarcasm that had repelled, the harshness that had startled me once, were only like keen condiments in a choice dish: their presence was pungent, but their absence would be felt as comparatively insipid.

• 令人厌恶的嘲弄，一度使我吃惊的严厉，不过像是一盘佳肴中浓重的调料，有了它，热辣辣好吃，没有它，便淡而无味。