The Summer Before the War Quotes

“They sat a moment in embrace of silent mutual comfort, which was, she often thought, the reward of those long married.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Most of all I remember that what begins with drums and fife, flags and bunting, becomes too swiftly a long and grey winter of the spirit.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“It was the cheapest kind of rebuke, to call a woman ugly, but one to which small boys and grown men seemed equally quick to stoop when feeling challenged.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“I said we would be informal,” said Agatha. “I did not say we would be eccentric.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Youth's lost companion may be the measured friend of old age, I hope", said Daniel. "I may write a poem on the subject."
"Dear God, it sounds more like a cross-stitched pillow than a poem," said Hugh.”
― helen simonson, The Summer Before the War

“It is the unexpected note that makes the poem. You, Hugh, are the unexpected note.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“My parents told me to marry for money,' said her husband. 'But I chose the love of a strong woman.'

'And look what trouble I turned out to be,' she said.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“How anyone could doubt the patriotism of my dachshunds is just shocking,”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Her favourite summer memories were not of events themselves, of picnics, sea bathing, tennis afternoons and cricket matches, but of watching Hugh and Daniel enjoying them and locking into memory the delight in their faces and their open laughter.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“These were people who knew more than they said and who understood more quickly than those who talked more.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Humiliation is the sport of the petty”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“War does have a way of interfering with one's most closely held desires.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Is it that our needs grew smaller?” asked Hugh. “Or is it just that the fear and deprivation makes one appreciate simple things more?” “I think our ability to be happy gets covered up by the years of petty rubbing along in the world, the getting ahead,” said Daniel. “But war burns away all the years of decay, like an old penny dropped into vinegar.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“she gathered up a few thoughts of the lovelier parts of the afternoon and stowed them away in the back of her mind, where they might remind her at some future date that lovely afternoons do not survive the chill of dusk.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“But if all else fails, I can always write her a sonnet.” “A sonnet?” said Hugh. “No woman can resist having her name rhymed with a flower in iambic pentameter,” said Daniel.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Suffragettes!” whispered Agatha as if communicating a great scandal. “I’m quite sure invitations to tea are being quietly withdrawn all over the room.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“I would prefer you did not apologize for anyone else,” she said. “My father always says that if we were as quick to own our own faults as we are to apologize for those of others, society might truly advance.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“they sat a moment in an embrace of silent mutual comfort, which was, she often thought, the reward of those long married.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Humiliation is the sport of the petty,”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“I'm pretty sure wars would be shorter if we weren't all so eager to read about them.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“he had no doubt that spirited debate was the first casualty of any war. —”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Mio padre dice sempre che, se fossimo pronti a riconoscere le nostre mancanze come lo siamo a scusarci per qualcun altro, la società farebbe realmente dei progressi.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Non c'è donna che non diventi graziosa quando sorride.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“I think I would make a most interesting widow," said Lucy. She smoothed a wayward ringlet of hair behind her ear and smiled. "Not that one would wish such a state on anyone, but a sensible woman might use the gravity of the position to great authority in these times."
Hugh was not sure of the correct conversational response to such an offer - if she had indeed just offered to be his widow. He was searching about for an answer when the train whistle blew”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“I can’t abide people who dislike dogs,”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“The dread hand of authority can instill fear, but it cannot build character.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“You will deflect all praise, so I shall merely admire you in silence.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Tongue was all he had yesterday,” said Cook. “So many I had a sudden vision of a whole field of silent cows. Quite a nasty turn it gave me.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“Smile,” said Eleanor Wheaton, appearing at her shoulder. “It makes them crazy when you appear to be happy.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War

“I would not be public about any yearnings to write. It would be an absolute disaster for a lady in your position to earn a reputation as a Bohemian.”
― Helen Simonson, The Summer Before the War