One of the disadvantages of almost universal education was the fact that all kinds of persons acquired a familiarity with one's favorite writers. It gave one a curious feeling; it was like seeing a drunken stranger wrapped in one's dressing gown.

That would be delightful,' agreed Flora, thinking how nasty and boring it would be.

On the whole, Flora liked it better when they were silent, though it did rather give her the feeling that she was acting in one of the less cheerful German highbrow films.

There are some things (like first love and one’s first reviews) at which a woman in her middle years does not care to look too closely.

She liked Victorian novels. They were the only kind of novel you could read while eating an apple.

There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm

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