A clergyman's Daughter - George Orwell

1. "Any time after the bar was open, the large, rosy-
gilled faces of the town's elite were to be seen gazing like chubby
goldfish from an aquarium pane"

2. "When is the wretched thing due to happen?'
'It's September the sixteenth, Father.'
'That's nearly a month hence. For Heaven's sake let me forget it
a little longer! I suppose we must have this ridiculous business
once a year to tickle the vanity of every amateur gardener in the
parish. But don't let's think of it more than is absolutely
necessary"

3. "'Please, Miss,' went on Ellen plaintively, 'Mr Porter's in the
kitchen, and he says, please could the Rector come round and
baptize Mrs Porter's baby? Because they don't think as it's going
to live the day out, and it ain't been baptized yet, Miss.'

Dorothy stood up. 'Sit down,' said the Rector promptly, with his
mouth full.

'What do they think is the matter with the baby?' said Dorothy.

'Well, Miss, it's turning quite black. And it's had diarrhoea
something cruel.'

The Rector emptied his mouth with an effort. 'Must I have these
disgusting details while I am eating my breakfast?' he exclaimed.
He turned on Ellen: 'Send Porter about his business and tell him
I'll be round at his house at twelve o'clock. I really cannot
think why it is that the lower classes always seem to choose
mealtimes to come pestering one,' he added"


4. 'I most certainly can blame him! It is simply abominable how these
people take it upon themselves to behave nowadays--abominable! But
there you are, you see. That is the kind of thing that we are
exposed to in this delightful century. That is democracy--
PROGRESS, as they are pleased to call it. Don't order from the
fellow again. Tell him at once that you are taking your account
elsewhere. That's the only way to treat these people.'

5. It is a curious fact
that the lure of a 'good investment' seems to haunt clergymen more
persistently than any other class of man. Perhaps it is the modern
equivalent of the demons in female shape who used to haunt the
anchorites of the Dark Ages."

6. "Mr Blifil-Gordon's largesse of smiles
was unceasing, but carefully graded."

7. 'Trying to get us to vote for them! Good God!' murmured Mr
Warburton, as he eyed the triumphal cortege. He raised the large,
silver-headed cane that he always carried, and pointed, rather
expressively, first at one figure in the procession and then at
another. 'Look at it! Just look at it! Look at those fawning
hags, and that half-witted oaf grinning at us like a monkey that
sees a bag of nuts. Did you ever see such a disgusting spectacle?'"

"'Good!' said Mr Warburton, immediately raising his voice. 'And to
think that low-born hound actually has the impertinence to think
that he's pleasing us with the sight of his false teeth! And that
suit he's wearing is an offence in itself. Is there a Socialist
candidate? If so, I shall certainly vote for him.'"


8. 'Oh, but how could you be such a brute?'

'Oh, THAT? Easily, my child, easily. You will understand that
when you get to my age.'

9. Just for poor working folks like us, that have
been sober and godly and kept our Communions regular." That's the
best way, ain't it, Miss Dorothy--poor in this life and rich in the
next? Not like some of them rich folks as all their motorcars and
their beautiful houses won't save from the worm that dieth not and
the fire that's not quenched.

10. 'Now don't go and turn round,' said Mr Warburton mildly. 'You
don't seem to realize how tactful it was on my part to approach you
from behind your back. If you turn round you'll see that I'm old
enough to be your father, and hideously bald into the bargain. But
if you'll only keep still and not look at me you can imagine I'm
Ivor Novello