quotes_habitation.htm



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Of a sudden, the house they had bought for a whim stood up as she had never seen it before, low-fronted, broad-winged, ample, prepared by course of generations for all such things… She went alone and quickly into the hall and kissed either door-post, whispering: ‘Be good to me. You know ! You’ve never failed in your duty yet.’

  

This is from “An Habitation Enforced” in Actions and Reactions.

An American businessman, struck down by overwork, takes refuge with his wife in deep Sussex countryside. They find a beautiful old house, which they buy on an impulse, and find themselves slipping into the duties and habits of English country squires, setting down roots there. Now they are expecting a baby …