I Capture the Castle

by Dodie Smith

Things you let yourself imagine happening, never do happen; so go ahead, have a wonderful day-dream about Simon loving you, marrying you instead of Rose — and then he never will. You’ll have given up any hope of winning him from her.”

Another great luxury is letting myself cry — I always feel marvellously peaceful after that. But it is difficult to arrange times for it, as my face takes so long to recover; it isn’t safe in the mornings if I am to look normal when I meet father at lunch, and the afternoons are no better, as Thomas is home by five.

“And do religious people find out what it’s all about? Do they really get the answer to the riddle?” “They get just a whiff of an answer sometimes.” He smiled at me and I smiled back and we both drank our madeira.

But if ever you’re feeling very unhappy — which you obviously aren’t at present, after all the good fortune that’s come to your family recently — well, try sitting in an empty church.”

“Quite sure. I only want to write. And there’s no college for that except life.”