Linnets and Valerians

by Elizabeth Goudge

Emma Cobley,

Tom Biddle,

Frede...

Eliza Lawson,

William Lawson

Simile

Robert was feeling so brave that he shouted back,

Simile

beech mast,

Fallen beech nuts? Question

Regal. Haha

‘Gruel only,’

Haha

Haha - he suggests an excuse for his kindness

Haha

Ezra’s pointed ears were standing out almost horizontally from the sides of his head

He, like all children, could use exquisite tact when telling a true story to grown-ups.

Haha

Things are seen and heard by the keen senses of the young which are not experienced by the failing powers of their elders,

Haha

the tactful Robert did not tell Uncle Ambrose

Haha

‘Daft Davie,’

p. 85

Robert and Timothy

‘I couldn’t even tell Robert.’ ‘Why not?’ asked Uncle Ambrose. ‘Because I don’t think Daft Davie wants to be visited.

Uncle Ambrose lives on the border between Twp worlds. He knows Ezra is conversant with the world of faerie, that he himself visits and appreciates, but he must keep up appearances in the world of the church.

William Lawson

Class struggle

I.e., Bullshit!

‘Our children would be safe with me,’

Uncle Ambrose and Ezra had not only a great affection for each other, but also great respect for each other’s judgement.

Adventures were likely to be slowed down by Ezra’s wooden leg,

Haha

Haha

Haha

Haha

Actually Ezra had dedicated this day to the bliss of lonely gardening,

Haha

Haha

Haha

when one is tired, it is always one’s nearest and dearest who fall under one’s heaviest displeasure.

Haha

Haha

Haha

His powers of concentration were great, but not quite great enough to render him entirely sound-proof against uninhibited juvenile enjoyment.

Haha

Ezra

‘Madam queens an’ noble bees,’

They be proper grateful for your protection an’ guidance,

Simile - double meaning

Simile

Then the airy traffic began once more,

they likes to be with each other. A lost bee will die o’ loneliness.

’Tis a regular city in there with ’ouses an’ streets an’ nurseries, an’ thousands o’ larders for the ’oney an’ bread, all built o’ sweet-smellin’ wax.

Paradise Lost by John Milton, book I.759-775 they anon With hunderds and with thousands trooping came [ 760 ] Attended: all access was throng'd, the Gates And Porches wide, but chief the spacious Hall (Though like a cover'd field, where Champions bold Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldans chair Defi'd the best of Paynim chivalry [ 765 ] To mortal combat or carreer with Lance) Thick swarm'd, both on the ground and in the air, Brusht with the hiss of russling wings. As Bees In spring time, when the Sun with Taurus rides, Pour forth thir populous youth about the Hive [ 770 ] In clusters; they among fresh dews and flowers Flie to and fro, or on the smoothed Plank, The suburb of thir Straw-built Cittadel, New rub'd with Baum, expatiate and confer Thir State affairs. The Grumbling Hive: Or, Knaves Turn’d Honest, by Bernard Mandeville A Spacious Hive well stock’d with Bees, That lived in Luxury and Ease; And yet as fam’d for Laws and Arms, As yielding large and early Swarms; Was counted the great Nursery [5] Of Sciences and Industry. No Bees had better Government, More Fickleness, or less Content. They were not Slaves to Tyranny, Nor ruled by wild Democracy; [10] But Kings, that could not wrong, because Their Power was circumscrib’d by Laws. [much more here: https://jacklynch.net/Texts/hive.html ]

There’s nothin’ more wonderful in all the world, children, than a beehive.’

‘Poor king!’ cried Nan, nearly in tears. ‘Why must it be like that?’ ‘How should I know, maid? ’Tis the way o’ it.’

‘Why do the bees swarm, Ezra?’

’Tis a sort of adventure, this seekin’ for a new city.

Like what Hugo Valerian does!