Battles at Thrush Green Quotes

“I had mumps at my prep school, and the san. was full, of course. A horrible place – bitterly cold, with lumpy flock mattresses to lie on. And nurse was run off her feet, naturally, and let us know it.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“volte-face”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“but wild would not have dragged from her the true miseries shadows under horses would not have dragged from her the true which had caused the shadows under her eyes, and the wretchedly disturbed nights.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“care very much about the outcome.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“No, a pleasant single woman was die answer!”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“Pushing her bicycle across the playground, Betty gave a rare sigh of despair. Life could be a proper turn-up for the book at times.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“She hung up the clean frying pan, stacked the crockery, spread the tea towel to dry, and then made for the door. ‘See you tomorrow,’ she cried, ‘and keep your pecker up.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“skrim-shanked”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“Golden Shower rose”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“It’s a hair tidy,’ quavered the arty lady.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“Karswood powder”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“By dint of using every reading method known, she battled on day after day. Some, she knew, would never read, and would rely on television, radio, and the age-old practical methods of personal demonstration to acquire knowledge. Others would gain enough mechanical skill to make out the headlines or to puzzle out where to sign a form. A very few would catch up with the rest of the class, and on these Miss Fogerty relied for any encouragement. Grubby forefingers were descending the long cards made by Miss Fogerty years before. ‘Per – in’ they chanted, gazing at the picture beside the first word.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“The group clustered by Miss Fogerty consisted of those who found reading difficult. In her young days, they would have been known as ‘backward’. Halfway through her career, the term was changed to ‘less able’. Now that she was nearing retirement, she believed such a group was called ‘remedial’. The name might change, thought Miss Fogerty – the children did not. They provided her with the hardest session of her teaching day.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green: A Novel

“He had not been so happy since his wife Nelly left him to share life with the oil man.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green

“Head up, back like a ramrod, Dotty faced her solicitor. Tears were coursing down her papery old cheeks and splashing unchecked upon the fur coat. But, through the tears, Dotty's expression was one of utter triumph.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green

“When I was a schoolboy,' he said, more calmly, 'we had a prayer about being careful not to mistake bluntness for frankness, and obstinacy, I think it was, for constancy. You know, Percy, I have always respected your principles, but you must face the fact that we all have to make compromises in this life if we are to live amicably together. All I am doing is to show you how willing we are to settle things for the best. Even hares and hounds have to shake down in the same world.”
― Miss Read, Battles at Thrush Green