At least as a single woman, I had time to pursue my own interests, read voraciously, and travel when opportunity presented.

Don't laugh at the spinsters, dear girls, for often very tender, tragic romances are hidden away in the hearts that beat so quietly under the sober gowns, and many silent sacrifices of youth, health, ambition, love itself, make the faded faces beautiful in God's sight. Even the sad, sour sisters should be kindly dealt with, because they have missed the sweetest part of life, if for no other reason.

I shall be forever grateful to you for breaking whatever unfortunate object you did in order to rescue me.”

“Something had to be done, she said, “and it was a very ugly vase.

You've faced horrors in these past weeks... I don't know which is worse. The terror you feel the first time you witness such things, or the numbness that comes after it starts to become ordinary.

You do know, I hope, that no man under the age of forty can even approach fascinating.

An appreciation for high fashion does not preclude possession of common sense.