There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm

Flora sighed. It was curious that persons who lived what the novelists called a rich emotional life always seemed to be a bit slow on the uptake.

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

Surely she had endured enough for one evening without having to listen to intelligent conversation?

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

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 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.