Kate Hardy

by D.E. Stevenson

Old Quinings did not mind being left behind in the march of progress; it was quite pleased with itself. If people wanted factories and cinemas and a good railway service they could go elsewhere; if they liked peace and quiet they could live at Old Quinings.

“But I like my rut! I was thankful to get back into my nice comfortable rut as soon as the war was over. My rut fits me perfectly. Nothing shall dig me out.”

Richard Morven was wedded to peace and quiet, he had his books, his garden and his dogs—he wanted no more.

The mere fact of trying to find something in common is good. It enlarges you. A small country place is a world in miniature, there are all kinds of people in it and you get to know them all

In town you spend your leisure rushing about doing things; in the country you stay put and live.”

people who lived in towns were more sophisticated and took care to conform to a pattern; they were afraid of being thought different from their neighbours. The people here did not mind being thought different. They behaved like themselves, not as they thought other people expected them to behave.

and what is more annoying than to be chatted to when you are absorbed in a book?