Quotes by Jean Webster

This is an extra letter in the middle of the month because Im rather lonely tonight. Its awfully stormy; the snow is beating against my tower. All the lights are out on the campus, but I drank black coffee and I cant go to sleep.I had a supper party this evening consisting of Sallie and Julia and Leonora Fenton - and sardines and toasted muffins and salad and fudge and coffee. Julia said shed had a good time, but Sallie stayed to help wash the dishes.

Where is the fun of living if you are going to make yourself a slave to all sorts of petty rules? asked Patty wearily.

In the country, especially, there are such a lot of entertaining things. I can walk over everybodys land, and look at everybodys view, and dabble in everybodys brook; and enjoy it just as much as though I owned the land--and with no taxes to pay!

“I was so dazed when I got to the station that I almost took a train for St. Louis. And you were pretty dazed, too. You forgot to give me any tea. But we’re both very, very happy, aren’t we?”

“The world is so full of a number of things, I am sure we should all be as happy as kings. The world is full of happiness, and plenty to go round, if you are only willing to take the kind that comes your way.”

“Im going to enjoy every second, and Im going to know Im enjoying it while Im enjoying it. Most people dont live; they just race. They are trying to reach some goal far away on the horizon, and in the heat of the going they get so breathless and panting that they lose sight of the beautiful, tranquil country they are passing through; and then the first thing they know, they are old and worn out, and it doesnt make any difference whether theyve reached the goal or not.”

“... in spite of being happier than I ever dreamed I could be, Im also soberer. The fear that something may happen to you rests like a shadow on my heart. Always before I could be frivolous and carefree and unconcerned, because I had nothing precious to lose. But now -- I shall have a Great Big Worry all the rest of my life. Whenever you are away from me I shall be thinking of all the automobiles that can run over you, or the signboards that can fall on your head or the dreadful, squirmy germs that you may be swallowing.”

“I think that everyone, no matter how many troubles he may have when he grows up, ought to have a happy childhood to look back upon. And if I ever have any children of my own, no matter how unhappy I may be, I am not going to let them have any cares until they grow up.”