“The duck swallows the worm, the fox kills the duck, the men shoot the fox, and the devil hunts the men.”

“An optimistic early-rising whore with red lips and red boots sauntered along, smiling hopefully at middle-aged men, but there were no takers at this hour.”

“And what if Britain lost? There would be a financial crisis, unemployment, and destitution. Working-class men would take up Ethel’s father’s cry and say that they had never been allowed to vote for the war. The people’s rage against their rulers would be boundless.”

“There was a long moment of silence. Philip was holding his breath. When Remigius looked up again, his face was wet with tears. "Yes , please, Father," he said. "I want to come home." Philip felt a glow of joy. "Come on, then," he said. "Get on my horse."Remigius looked flabbergasted.Jonathan said: "Father! What are you doing?"Philip said to Remigius: "Go on, do as I say."Jonathan was horified, "but Ftaher, how will you travel?""I'll walk," Philip said happily. "One of us must.""Let Remigius walk!" Jonathan said in a tone of outrage."Let him ride," Philip said, "He's pleased God today.""What about you? Haven't you pleased God more than Remigius?""Jesus said there's more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people," Philip countered. "Don't you remember the parable of the prodigal son? When he came home, his father killed the fatted calf. The angels are rejoicing over Remigius's tears. The least I can do is give him my horse.”

“When you're thinking, please remember this: excessive pride is a familiar sin, but a man may just as easily frustrate the will of God through excessive humility.”

“He had been granted his life's wish-but conditionally.”

“Knotty theological questions are the least worrying of problems to me. Why? Because they will be resolved in the hereafter, and meanwhile they can be safely shelved.”