Two gallons of wine

Two gallons is a great deal of wine, even for two paisanos. Spiritually the jugs maybe graduated thus: Just below the shoulder of the first bottle, serious and concentrated conversation. Two inches farther down, sweetly sad memory. Three inches more, thoughts of old and satisfactory loves. An inch, thoughts of old and bitter loves. Bottom of the first jug, general and undirected sadness. Shoulder of the second jug, black, unholy, despon
ency. Two fingers down, a song of death or longing. A thumb, every other song each one knows. The graduations stop here, for the trial splits and there is no certainty.
- John Steinbeck, Tortilla Flat.