Cranford Quotes
"What does it signify how we dress here at Cranford, where everybody knows us?"
"It is the third day; I dare say your mamma has told you, my dear, never to let more than three days elapse between receiving a call and returning it."
"We had tacitly agreed to ignore that any with whom we associated on terms of visiting equality could ever be prevented by poverty from doing anything that they wished."
"Elegant economy! How naturally one falls back into the phraseology of Cranford!"
"God forbid!" said she in a low voice, "that I should grieve any young hearts."
"God bless my soul, madam! but I nearly forgot half my errand."
"My dear, I’d rather you did not call me Matty."
"Well, after all, what is dress, that we should care anything about it?"
"It was a pretty regular question from Mrs. Jamieson, who had her own carriage in the coach-house, and always went out in a sedan-chair to the very shortest distances."
"If my father was better (which she hoped he was), and would take warning and wear a greatcoat from Michaelmas to Lady-day."
"I was foolish to expect anything very genteel out of the Drumble shops; poor girl! she did her best, I've no doubt."
"I wish I had thought of something very sharp and sarcastic; I dare say I shall tonight."
"I remember the convocation of ladies who assembled to decide whether or not Mrs. Fitz-Adam should be called upon by the old blue-blooded inhabitants of Cranford."
"It was in vain that I twirled the cap round on my hand to exhibit back and side fronts."
"I had better ring the bell, my dear, had not I?"
"No! it was not the Latin. Peter was in high favour with my father, for he worked up well for him."
"A represents the ball. Put A between B and D—no! between C and F, and turn the second joint of the third finger of your left hand over the wrist of your right H. Very clear indeed! My dear Mrs. Forrester, conjuring and witchcraft is a mere affair of the alphabet."
"I remember, one winter's evening, sitting over our bedroom fire with Deborah—I remember it as if it were yesterday—and we were planning our future lives, both of us were planning, though only she talked about it."
"I am quite clear about it in my own mind; but, you know, I can never speak quite as comprehensibly as others can, only you must give me your note, Mr. Dobson, if you please, and go on with your purchases with these sovereigns."
"But, after all, I have not told you the truth. It is so long ago, and no one ever knew how much I thought of it at the time, unless, indeed, my dear mother guessed; but I may say that there was a time when I did not think I should have been only Miss Matty Jenkyns all my life."
"I had seen one of the officer's ladies with a little picture, ma'am—done by a Catholic foreigner, ma'am—of the Virgin and the little Saviour, ma'am. She had him on her arm, and her form was softly curled round him, and their cheeks touched."
"It’s hard upon a poor man," said he, "as earns every farthing with the sweat of his brow. However, there’s no help for it. You must take back your shawl, my man; Lizzle must go on with her cloak for a while."
"I am sure you would be sorry to bring me wrong weight."
"I am ashamed to say, I believe I was rather vexed and annoyed at Miss Matty’s conduct."
"I never feel as if my mind was what people call very strong."
"I'm not like Deborah. If Deborah had lived, I’ve no doubt she would have seen after them."
"I hope it’s not wrong - not wicked - but, oh! I am so glad poor Deborah is spared this."
"I was so busy maturing a plan I had had in my mind for some days."
"I must go and settle about a room at the George. My carpetbag is there too."
"I could have sworn you were on the high road to matrimony when I left England that last time!"
"She, then, was chosen to preside over this entertainment of Mr. Peter’s."
"I intend to enter the Assembly Room tonight with Mrs. Jamieson on one side, and my lady, Mrs. Hoggins, on the other."