Most of the pleasure of making a book would go if it held nothing to be shared by other people. I would write for a few dozen people, and sometimes it seems that I do so, but I would not write for no-one.

It will be a beautiful family talk, mean and worried and full of sorrow and spite and excitement.

When I die, people will say it is the best thing for me. It is because they know it is the worst. They want to avoid the feeling of pity. As though they were the people most concerned!

some people always have a touch of youth about them.

it is in our minds that we live much of our life.

I never agree with the compliments paid to it. It is not a great healer. It is an indifferent and perfunctory one. Sometimes it does not heal at all. And sometimes when it seems to, no healing has been necessary.

Appearances are not held to be a clue to the truth,' said his cousin. 'But we seem to have no other.