Quote by James Thurber, on driving with p
A peril of the night road is that flecks of dust and streaks of bug blood on the windshield look to me like old admirals in uniform, or crippled apple women, or the front edge of barges, and I whirl out of their way, thus going into ditches and fields and up on front lawns, endangering the life of authentic admirals and apple women who may be out on the roads for a breath of air before retiring.
Summary
In this quote, the author highlights the danger of imagining distorted shapes on the windshield while driving at night. Dust specks and bug remains take on the appearance of various figures, such as old admirals and apple women, leading the author to swerve unexpectedly. This reckless behavior puts the author and others at risk by veering into ditches, fields, and front lawns, potentially endangering the lives of real admirals and apple women who may be present on the roads. The quote sheds light on the author's amusing and eccentric perception of the world, while emphasizing the unintended consequences of their vivid imagination while driving.