Nature is all very well in her place, but she must not be allowed to make things untidy.

A straight nose is a great help if one wishes to look serious'.

Like all really strong-minded women, on whom everybody flops, she adored being bossed about. It was so restful.

I saw something nasty in the woodshed.

And when April like an over-lustful lover leaped upon the lush flanks of the Downs there would be yet another child in the wretched hut down on Nettle Flitch Field, where Meriam housed the fruits of her shame.

There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm

Well,' said Mrs Smiling, 'it sounds an appalling place, but in a different way from all the others. I mean, it does sound interesting and appalling, while the others just sound appalling.