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1 " The church is moderately well-filled but the congregation consists mostly of middle-aged or elderly people. Are there so few young people in Ryddelton, or is it because the younger generation thinks church-going an unnecessary rite? I cannot help wondering what will happen when in due course these people die . . . will the younger generation, which will then be middle-aged, acquire the habit of attending Divine Worship? If not it seems probable that church-going will lapse completely and our churches will fall into ruins. "
― D.E. Stevenson , Mrs. Tim Gets a Job
2 " Mr. Weir knew at once that I was really interested and came half-way to meet me. When people go half-way to meet each other something happens—something important.” “Yes—but what is it?” I ask with interest. “You give a bit of yourself and receive a bit of the other fellow, and you’re both richer. "
3 " If we go about the world giving bits of ourselves to people we meet . . . it’s worthwhile having lived . . . we leave something behind us which goes on—and on. "
4 " Erica says suddenly that she hopes I’m liking it here. Reply—quite truthfully—that I’m liking it very much. “You didn’t like it at first,” says Erica bluntly. “You didn’t like me at first,” I retort—for I have discovered that the way to “take” Erica is to stand up to her boldly and give as good as you get. “I thought you were wet,” says Erica frankly. “Let’s put these two chairs together near the window.” “Wet!” I exclaim. “You trampled on me!” “You lay down,” she returns. “I always trample on people if they lie down at my feet; what else can one do?” “Help them up,” I suggest. "
5 " Sir Walter Scott in his diary gives a description of his own feelings in times of stress. He says, “Nature has given me a kind of buoyancy . . . that mingles even with my deepest afflictions and most gloomy hours. I have a secret pride . . . which impels me to mix with my distresses strange fragments of mirth. "
6 " By this time the rain is descending in sheets and I am feeling quite as wet and dejected as the weather. I am in the mood when one forgets one’s blessings and counts one’s troubles, when nothing seems good and the world seems grey and drab. I have a son, but he has gone away. I have a husband, but I have not seen him for months. It may be years before I see Tim, it certainly will be years before we can settle down to a reasonably peaceful life. What is the use of being married when you can’t be together? It is misery, no less. All very well for Tony to say think of the future—I do think of it most of the time but you can’t live on hope forever. There are times—and this is one of them—when the savour goes out of life, when you lose heart, when you feel you can’t go on, when you would give everything you possess for one glimpse of the person you love . . . "
7 " Erica says she has told everybody to come; she doesn’t think they’ll dare not to. I feel sure she is right for her guests stand in such awe of her that they accede to her requests meekly. They are frightened of her—and no wonder; they don’t know how to take her; they are never sure whether her rudeness is meant to be amusing or not. "
8 " Charming!” cries Mrs. Maloney. “How delightful!” exclaims Miss Dove. “I do adore Jane!” Mrs. Ovens declares. Several other ladies admit to a like partiality for Miss Austen and urge Miss Clutterbuck to begin. "
9 " She mentions the salary she is prepared to offer, and hopes it will be acceptable, but, as this part of the letter is quite illegible, I cannot tell whether it is acceptable or not. Grace has told her I have no experience, but Miss Clutterbuck does not mind as long as I have my head screwed on the right way. Miss Clutterbuck has had to sack her former assistant because she was a fool—no head at all and apt to take the huff when her shortcomings were mentioned. "
