There are more effective ways to have a character brood about the past. It was dark, cold, and raining. By removing the wife's response, the writer now presents a character feeling a deep loss. The words did not change, but they are more intense. Layer upon Layer Mastery good dialogue practices allows a writer to concentrate of great dialogue.
Great dialogue works on multiple levels and frequently conveys multiple meanings.
Exercise Record a casual exchange over a cup of coffee. Precisely transcribe ten minutes of dialogue, including every pause and false start. Once transcribed, re-write the dialogue with readers in mind. Do not cheat and write a short script. Attempt to write the exchange as if it were appearing in a novel.