Well, when I am fifty-three or so I would like to write a novel as good as Persuasion but with a modern setting, of course. For the next thirty years or so I shall be collecting material for it. If anyone asks me what I work at, I shall say, 'Collecting material'. No one can object to that.

Happiness can never hope to command so much interest as distress.

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

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.

I do not object to the phenomena, but I do object to the parrot.

Well, when I am fifty-three or so I would like to write a novel as good as Persuasion but with a modern setting, of course. For the next thirty years or so I shall be collecting material for it. If anyone asks me what I work at, I shall say, 'Collecting material'. No one can object to that.