I was so astonished that I could think of nothing to say, but wondered irrelevantly if I was to be caught with a teapot in my hand on every dramatic occasion. Barbara Pym More Quotes by Barbara Pym More Quotes From Barbara Pym I pulled myself up and told myself to stop these ridiculous thoughts, wondering why it is that we can never stop trying to analyse the motives of people who have no personal interest in us, in the vain hope of finding that perhaps they may have just a little after all. Barbara Pym may trying people I realised that one might love him secretly with no hope of encouragement, which can be very enjoyable for the young or inexperienced. Barbara Pym unrequited-love encouragement might Perhaps I need some shattering experience to awaken and inspire me, or at least to give me some emotion to recollect in tranquility. But how to get it? Sit here and wait for it or go out and seek it? . . . I expect it will be sit and wait. Barbara Pym waiting giving inspire What a good thing there is no marriage or giving in marriage in the after-life; it will certainly help to smooth things out. Barbara Pym good-things helping giving Oh, this coming back to an empty house,' Rupert thought, when he had seen her safely up to her door. People - though perhaps it was only women - seemed to make so much of it. As if life itself were not as empty as the house one was coming back to. Barbara Pym house doors people She set about preparing her supper. It would have to be one of those classically simple meals, the sort that French peasants are said to eat and that enlightened English people sometimes enjoy rather self-consciously - a crusty French loaf, cheese, and lettuce and tomatoes from the garden. Of course there should have been wine and a lovingly prepared dressing of oil and vinegar, but Dulcie drank orange squash and ate mayonnaise that came from a bottle. Barbara Pym wine simple food Novel writing is a kind of private pleasure, even if nothing comes of it in worldly terms. Barbara Pym pleasure kind writing Those quotations were really quite obscure. Anyone can see that he is a very well read man. Barbara Pym well he see man