Maisie Dobbs (Maisie Dobbs, #1)

by Jacqueline Winspear

“Nod’s as good as a wink to a blind ’orse, if you know what I mean, miss.”

donald holden. born 1900. died 1919. beloved only son of ernest and hilda holden. ‘memory is a golden chain that binds us ’til we meet again.’

the wise men who spoke of the veil that was lifted in the early hours, of the all-seeing eye that was open before the day was awake. The hours before dawn were the sacred time, before the intellect rose from slumber. At this time one’s inner voice could be heard.

“Truth walks toward us on the paths of our questions.” Maurice’s voice once again echoed in her mind.

“The story takes up space as a knot in a piece of wood. If the knot is removed, a hole remains. We must ask ourselves, how will this hole that we have opened be filled? The hole, Maisie, is our responsibility.”

Thus a day that had seen so many tears ended in the midst of a rainbow.

“Never follow a story with a question, Maisie, not immediately. And remember to acknowledge the storyteller, for in some way even the messenger is affected by the story he brings.”

“Tomorrow will be our last day together,” said Simon. “I wish I understood time, Maisie. It vanishes through one’s fingers.” He held her hands together in front of his chest, and touched each of her fingertips in turn. “Maurice says that only when we have a respect for time will we have learned something of the art of living.”

coincidence could simply be what it appeared to be: two events connected to each other by the thoughts and experience of a person. But he also told Maisie to pay attention to coincidence. Coincidence was a messenger sent by truth.

Pay attention, Maurice had always cautioned her. Pay attention to the reactions of your body. It is the wisdom of the self speaking to you. Be aware of concern, of anticipation, of all the feelings that come from the self. They manifest in the body. What is their counsel?

“When we reach to place a hand on a sore knee or an aching back, we are really reaching into our primordial healing resources. Judicious use of the energy of touch can transform, as the power of our aura soothes the place that is injured.”