“How is it then that your theologians drivel like people in their second childhood.”

“No matter how much kids beg to be treated like adults, nobody likes to let go of their childhood. You wish for it and dream of it and the second you have it, you wonder what you've done. You wonder what it is you've become.”

“I never heard such drivel in my life," said Evangeline Fairfield.It was the most injudicious remark she'd ever made. Arethusa turned on her like a wounded tigress.Madam, I write such drivel!”

“There is no land like the land of your childhood.”

“What is your theologian's ecstasy but Mahomet's houri in the dark?”

“Childhood: it was like trying to chart an entire continent by the brief flare of a firework. Except that you had no idea that this was your only chance to explore for free, and instead you spent the five seconds of precious light gawping at the sky, stuffing treacle into your mouth. And then it went dark again.”