He stood staring into the wood for a minute, then said: "What is it about the English countryside — why is the beauty so much more than visual? Why does it touch one so?" He sounded faintly sad. Perhaps he finds beauty saddening — I do myself sometimes. Once when I was quite little I asked father why this was and he explained that it was due to our knowledge of beauty's evanescence, which reminds us that we ourselves shall die. Then he said I was probably too young to understand him; but I understood perfectly.

I think it [religion] is an art, the greatest one; an extension of the communion all the other arts attempt.

How can a young man like to wear a beard?

I have really sinned. I am going to pause now, and sit here on the mound repenting in deepest shame.

And no bathroom on earth will make up for marrying a bearded man you hate.

It is rather exciting to write by moonlight.

Was I the only woman in the world who, at my age - and after a lifetime of quite rampant independence - still did not quite feel grown up?