“Gerald's look assured her that he and the others would be as near angels as children could be without ceasing to be human.”

“Oh, if I could choose,” said Mabel, “of course I’d marry a brigand, and live in his mountain fastness, and be kind to his captives and help them to escape and-“ “You’ll be a real treasure to your husband.” said Gerald.”

“Aunt Emily says grown-ups never really like playing. They do it to please us.""They little know," Gerald answered, "how often we do it to please them.”

“I don't agree with you in the least," said Temple— "about marriage, I mean. A man ought to want to get married—" "To anybody? Without its being anybody in particular?" "Yes," said Temple stoutly. "If he gets to thirty without wanting to marry any one in particular, he ought to look about till he finds some one he does want. It's the right and proper thing to marry and have kiddies.”

“People think six is a great many, when it's children. ...they don't mind six pairs of boots, or six pounds of apples, or six oranges, especially in equations, but they seem to think that you ought not to have five brothers and sisters.”

“Our darling Roberta,No sorrow shall hurt herIf we can prevent itHer whole life long.Her birthday's our fete day,We'll make it our great day,And give her our presentsAnd sing her our song.May pleasures attend herAnd may the Fates send herThe happiest journeyAlong her life's way.With skies bright above herAnd dear ones to love her!Dear Bob! Many happyReturns of the day!”

“I never read prefaces, and it is not much good writing things just for people to skip. I wonder other authors have never thought of this.”