"The Little White Horse" by Elizabeth Goudge/Quotes for Miriam

This was an absolutely lovely book---and I am sad to see it end.  It's one of those books that takes its time with the words---painting a truly beautiful landscape where its characters---richly developed and charmingly described---can go about their adventures within its secret tunnels and brightly lit parlors.




"yet they went bedwards with no sense of outrage, for a little oddness of behavior was only to be expected in a man who had been for twenty years bereft of the civilizing influence of female companionship...."


"For He talked to God as if he were not only up in heaven, but standing beside him in the pulpit.  And not only standing beside him, but beside every man, woman, and child in the church---God came alive for Maria as he prayed, and she was so excited and so happy that she could hardly draw her breath."


"The people of Silverydew had looked happy and prosperous, but people often had worries which did not show outside."


"A hare is not a pet but a person.  Hares are clever and brave and loving, and they have fairy blood in them.  It's a grand thing to have a hare for a friend.  One doesn't often, because they have a lot of dignity and keep themselves to themselves; not like rabbits, who are always underfoot; but if you do win the love of a hare----well---it's a fine thing for you."


.......the simple little words came easily, fitting themselves to the tune that had come out of the harpsichord.  It didn't seem that she made them up at all.   It seemed to her that they flew in from the rose-garden, through the open window, like a lot of butterflies, poised themselves on the point of her pen, and fell off it on to the paper.


The ends of Marmaduke's smile suddenly came out of his ears and attached themselves to his mouth again.


Sometimes, Maria, a story that one hears starts one off doing things that one would not have had to do if one had not heard it.


'Nothing is ever finished and done with in this world,' said Old Parson. 'You might think a seed was finished and done with when it falls like a dead thing into the earth; but when it puts forth leaves and flowers next spring you see your mistake.'


"...that nothing worthwhile in this world is achieved without love and humility."


"Though sometimes, you know, Maria, one's protector can be almost as alarming as what he protects one from."


All the best things are seen first of all at a far distance.


Truly the non-curiosity of men was beyond her comprehension.


'That's the way with quarrels, Maria, especially Merryweather quarrels.  They begin over some quite little thing, like pink geraniums, and then the little thing seems to grow and grow until it fills the whole world.'


There's nothing like protecting someone more frightened than oneself, she thought, to make one feel as brave as a lion.


......and Maria knew by instinct that if you get people thoroughly startled you can do a lot with them.


'I suppose we couldn't expect to succeed at the first try.  But there has to be a first try, and now we've had it, and it's behind us.'


The wickedest of men have good in them somewhere.


.....because however old you are you never forget the time when you were young, or the people you loved when you were young; indeed, the older you get the more clearly you remember the times and the more dearly you love the people.