Summerhills Quotes

“But that’s just it! I never saw the old lady. I heard plenty about her from Roger and the doctor and the black satin pincushion—and they all told me something different. The only thing they had in common was terror; they were all scared to death of Aunt Beatrice.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“They had finished their meal. Anne rose to fetch the coffee and as she passed his chair she bent over and kissed him lightly on the forehead. It was a butterfly caress and exactly expressed the relationship between them, which was almost that of father and daughter, but not quite. Fathers and daughters have always known each other and take their affection for granted as a natural thing, but these two had found each other and were grateful.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“If we trust our own strength (said Mr. Orme), it may sustain us up to a certain point and then give way and let us down just at the moment when we need it most, but if the Lord is our strength, and our hearts trust in Him, He gives us His help in time of trouble.”
― D. E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“had”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“The leaves were beginning to fall. They fell reluctantly. They hovered in the air and drifted slowly sideways to the damp ground. You would wonder why, having survived days of wind and rain, they should detach themselves now, at this moment of peace. Did they part with the twigs voluntarily? Did they say, “Goodbye, we clung to you when the wind raged, but now our time has come?” Gently and slowly they drifted to the ground making a carpet of brown and gold upon the grass.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“but when Gerry and Joan and little Marion were there it was anything but peaceful. They were noisy and argumentative and took pleasure in practical jokes of a very annoying character. And they were so careless and untidy that their belongings were scattered about in every room. The young Lamberts were not welcome visitors at Merlewood.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“From their earliest days the Lambert children had been brought up in accordance with the book and, as they were quite intelligent enough to realise that they could do exactly as they pleased without reproof, they took full advantage of their license. Most of their friends and acquaintances were of the opinion that the Lambert children were intolerable little nuisances but their parents doted upon them and had no eyes nor ears for anybody else.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“Next year when I take my holiday I shall certainly fly——” “But not to Rome,” said Roger hastily. “No, not to Rome,” agreed Aunt Beatrice. “I have a feeling I should like to visit Copenhagen. It is a very beautiful city I am told.” Roger could not help smiling. He wondered whether he should begin to study Danish—just in case.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“We are airborne,” said Roger trying to smile. “Airborne,” repeated Aunt Beatrice, savouring the word. “It is a very pleasant sensation. When I get home I shall write to Elsie Cannan and tell her about it. She has never been airborne.” It was encouraging to discover that although she looked like death his charge had plenty of spirit. There was nothing yellow about Aunt Beatrice except her face.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“The offer of money to tide him over any temporary difficulties had been sensible and businesslike. Roger had not thanked Dennis—there was no need—but he had appreciated it greatly; the more so because it was so unusual. Roger was frequently asked for the loan of money, but he could not remember ever having been offered such a thing before.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“Roger reflected that it was a pity children had to grow up; by this time next year Stephen would be a schoolboy and the childish innocence would have vanished . . . but one could not help it of course. One could only do one’s best to see that the child grew into a boy and the boy into a man smoothly, and with the least possible suffering . . . and that there were as few “nasty things” as possible in his cupboard of memory to roll out unexpectedly and make him uncomfortable.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“This morning Mr. Orme had taken Strength as his theme: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped.” If we trust our own strength (said Mr. Orme), it may sustain us up to a certain point and then give way and let us down just at the moment when we need it most, but if the Lord is our strength, and our hearts trust in Him, He gives us His help in time of trouble. All the great men of history had the Lord as their strength: Drake, Nelson, Gordon—and a host of others. In modern times we need look no further than Churchill who was sustained through terrible strains and stresses by the Lord’s hand. But it is not only great occasions which call for strength beyond our own; ordinary people who go about their daily duties feel the need of God’s strength to help them, and God’s shield to protect them from harm. The chief cause of unhappiness in modern times is fear, said Mr. Orme; fear of illness, fear of the future, fear of death; but the heart that trusts in the Lord fears nothing.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“Arnold knew a little about the “lost years” but he had not realised it had been as bad as that. “The publishers tried to persuade me to write another,” continued the author, “but of course I couldn’t. You see that book is all true. I couldn’t make up a story to save my life.” She paused for a moment and then added thoughtfully, “It’s funny how things happen. If it wasn’t for that little book I wouldn’t be here now.” “You wouldn’t be here now?” “No,” said Anne.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“but the moment one started home one was filled with impatience. Amberwell pulled like a magnet; the nearer one approached the harder it pulled.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“The leaves were beginning to fall. They fell reluctantly. They hovered in the air and drifted slowly sideways to the damp ground. You would wonder why, having survived days of wind and rain, they should detach themselves now, at this moment of peace. Did they part with the twigs voluntarily? Did they say, 'Goodbye, we clung to you when the wind raged, but now our time has come?' Gently and slowly they drifted to the ground making a carpet of brown and gold upon the grass.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“It is not only great occasions which call for strength beyond our own; ordinary people who go about their daily duties feel the need of God's strength to help them, and God's shield to protect them from harm. The chief cause of unhappiness in modern times is fear, said Mr. Orme; fear of illness, fear of the future, fear of death; but the heart that trusts in the Lord fears nothing.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills

“I used to worry myself nearly crazy about money—about how I was to make ends meet and pay for Emmie's education—but not now." She hesitated and then added in a lower voice, "You've taught me to trust God and enjoy my daily bread, that's why I said don't let's think about the future."

"....We'll trust God and enjoy our daily bread together.”
― D.E. Stevenson, Summerhills