She set about preparing her supper. It would have to be one of those classically simple meals, the sort that French peasants are said to eat and that enlightened English people sometimes enjoy rather self-consciously - a crusty French loaf, cheese, and lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. Of course there should have been wine and a lovingly prepared dressing of oil and vinegar, but Dulcie drank orange squash and ate mayonnaise that came from a bottle.

Dulcie always found a public library a little upsetting, for one saw so many odd people there.

I love Evensong. There's something sad and essentially English about it.

There are various ways of mending a broken heart, but perhaps going to a learned conference is one of the more unusual.

Of course it's all right for librarians to smell of drink.

How absurd and delicious it is to be in love with somebody younger than yourself. Everybody should try it.

There are some things too dreadful to be revealed, and it is even more dreadful how, in spite of our better instincts,we long to know about them.