Smiley's People1982

Oliver Lacon:
George, do you think we set our women up too high? Is that where we English middle-class chaps go wrong?

George Smiley:
It may be, Oliver, yes.

Oliver Lacon:
Well, if it isn't, then why does Val always fall for shits? We were always taught that women were to be cherished. That if we didn't make them feel loved every moment of the day, they'd go off the rails! This chap Val's with, she annoys him, speaks out of turn! It's mad that he hasn't given her a black eye! You and I never do that.