From "The Painted Veil." Language for necessity or the dire need for connection?

"It's raining cats and dogs."

"I said it's raining cats and dogs."

"Yes I heard you."

frustrated sigh, "you might have answered."

"I'm sorry I've got, gotten used to not speaking unless I had something to say."

"If nobody spoke unless they had something to say, the human race would soon then lose the power of speech."

"can you pass the salt please?"

"sorry did you say something?"

"could you pass the salt."

(passes the salt)

"thank you."

(sigh) "so this is how it's going to be."

"passing our evenings in silence."

"walter. WALTER." (slams fists) "I wonder if you haven't gone insane."