A human being in perfection ought always to preserve a calm and peaceful mind and never to allow passion or a transitory desire to disturb his tranquility. I do not think that the pursuit of knowledge is an exception to this rule. If the study to which you apply yourself has a tendency to weaken […]

”I want to know all about everything,” he said.”I’ll tell you anything you ask,” she answered. ”But you must promise to like it,” she added, smiling.”Why? Why shouldn’t I like it?” he asked quickly, his face changing. ”You’re not–you’re not going to be married?””Oh–don’t be silly. There. I’m ready. Shall we go down?””I suppose you […]

’So what is it about billionaires and survivalism?’ she’d asked him, the third or fourth time they met. ’Is it just an arms race? Like, just a pissing contest? Or do you all know something that we don’t?’’Both,’ he said, quite calmly. ’I mean, of course it’s a pissing contest. What isn’t?’she tried to think […]

Mr. Weston was now gone, and we too went on our way; but as we returned, after having deposited the hare in a farm-house, and demolished some spice-cake and currant-wine in exchange, we met him returning also from the execution of his mission, whatever it might be. He carried in his hand a cluster of […]

On taas klassikkohaasteen aika. Olen ollut mukana osasta neljä lähtien, joten tämä on jo yhdestoista kerta. Klassikoita tulee luettua myös haasteen ulkopuolella, joten kovin haastavalta tämä kaksi postausta vuodessa ei tunnu. Tällä kertaa valitsin klassikkokirjailijaksi Henry Jamesin (1843-1916), jota en ole aiemmin lukenut. Häneen viitataan usein muissa kirjoissa, joita kesäisin luen, joten oli aika tutustua. […]

”Look, Cathleen, will you give up the nonsense? We’re eighteen and we’re bored to death.” She lit a cigarette and puffed vigorously. She went on: ”We want to live. Drink gin. Squeeze into the front of big cars and drive up outside big hotels. We want to go places. Not to sit in this damp […]

When they returned to town, Margaret fulfilled one of her sea-side resolves, and took her life into her own hands. Before they went to Cromer, she had been as docile to her aunt’s laws as if she were still the scared little stranger who cried herself to sleep that first night in Harley Street nursery. […]