The Late Scholar Quotes

“It’s just that we wear rose-coloured spectacles when we return here [to Oxford] – we are dazzled by the foolish idealism of our youthful years.”
― Jill Paton Walsh, The Late Scholar

“One of my colleagues in Birmingham University, where I come from,’ said Trevair, ‘is a moral philosopher. He taught me that one of the ways to judge a course of action is to consider what company it puts one in. I doubt if that’s very good philosophy, but I find it a good rule of thumb.”
― Jill Paton Walsh, The Late Scholar

“It’s the Queen’s English now,’ observed Peter mildly.

‘Is there a difference?’ asked Oundle rhetorically. ‘I fervently hope not.’

‘There will be in time,’ said Peter.

‘That will be deplorable,’ replied Oudle. ‘I shall not myself deviate by a syllable from correct usage.’

‘My language is foul, and yours is Fowler?’ said Peter, and added one of his sudden quirky smiles, ‘or know your Onions.’

This quip crossed the barrier of the table, because the man sitting nearly opposite Peter laughed.

‘Onions?’ said Oudle.

‘C.T. Onions, I imagine,’ said the man opposite. ‘Editor of the Oxford English Dictionary.’

‘Oh, I see,’ said Oudle. ‘Very droll.”
― Jill Paton Walsh, The Late Scholar

“allowed themselves to reinhabit themselves”
― Jill Paton Walsh, The Late Scholar

“Peter, leaving the library with a light step, and skipping down the stairs like an elderly Fred Astaire.”
― Jill Paton Walsh, The Late Scholar

“Serial murder is very uncommon, Peter,’ said Charles. ‘But the major”
― Jill Paton Walsh, The Late Scholar