Hay Fever quotes

Listen to this, Simon. She reads. “Love’s a Trollop stained with wine—Clawing at the breasts of Adolescence—Nuzzling, tearing, shrieking, beating—God, why were we fashioned so!” She laughs.

The poor girl’s potty.

I wish she hadn’t sent me the beastly book. I must say something nice about it.

Listen to this, Simon. She reads. “Love’s a Trollop stained with wine—Clawing at the breasts of Adolescence—Nuzzling, tearing, shrieking, beating—God, why were we fashioned so!” She laughs.

I wish she hadn’t sent me the beastly book. I must say something nice about it.

She used to be such fun before she married that gloomy little man.

I know I didn’t, but I’m going to in a minute, when I’ve finished this.

I sometimes wish we were more normal and bouncing, Simon.

I should like to be a fresh, open-air girl with a passion for games.

That may be true, but I shall allow nobody but myself to say it.

I hoped you’d grow up a good daughter to me, not a critical aunt.

Cheap! Nonsense! What about your diplomatist?

I don’t see any point in trying to be younger than you are.

At your age, dear, it would be indecent if you did.

But, Mother darling, don’t you see, it’s awfully undignified for you to go flaunting about with young men?

You mustn’t be pert, Clara.

Pert I may be, but I ’ave got some thought for others.

Eight for dinner—Amy going home early. It’s more nor less than an imposition.

Is anyone else coming to stay?

Anyone else! You don’t know⁠—you just don’t know. Give me my hat.

Giving it to her. You said it would be quite quiet, with nobody at all.

My dear, how ghastly! What’s the matter?

Nothing’s the matter yet, Myra, but I have presentiments.

Come upstairs, Sandy, and I’ll show you your room.

I’m more than cool really, but it’s not climatic coolness.

I’ve been mentally chilled to the marrow by Judith’s attitude.

Why, what did she say?

You mustn’t be depressed.

It’s always a little embarrassing coming to a strange house for the first time.

You’ll like Sorel—she’s charming.

That was Mother, I expect.

We’re an independent family⁠—we entertain our friends sort of separately.

It was sweet of you to come.

Lose my temper! I like that! No one’s given me the slightest indication of what the word is—you all argue and squabble—

Talk, talk, talk! Everybody talks too much.

It’s so surprising to me when people won’t play up. After all—

I don’t know what’s happened to you lately, Judith.

Nothing’s happened to me⁠—nothing ever does. You’re far too smug to allow it.

Yes, smug, smug, smug! And pompous!

Drinking! Huh! that’s very amusing!

I think it’s rather tragic, at your time of life.

He goes out with Myra.

It was nothing, really. For Heaven’s sake—

Nothing! I open the library door casually, and what do I see? I ask you, what do I see?

I’m most awfully sorry. …

Nonsense. I just believe in being honest with myself—it’s awfully good for one, you know, so cleansing. I’m going upstairs now to have a little aspirin—She goes upstairs, and turns.

Ah, Youth, Youth, what a strange, mad muddle you make of things!

She goes off.

I only heard a cuckoo.

Even a cuckoo has charm, in moderation.

You kissed me because you were awfully nice and I was awfully nice and we both liked kissing very much. It was inevitable. Then Mother found us and got dramatic—her sense of the theatre is always fatal.

Please—please don’t be difficult.

Don’t apologise⁠—I quite understand.

Please let go of my hand, David; I should like to go to bed.

I don’t want a scene. I just want to straighten things out.

June has always been an unlucky month for me.

Look here, Judith, I’d like to explain one thing—

Shouting her down.

October is such a mournful month in England.

I think I shall probably go abroad—perhaps a pension somewhere in Italy, with cypresses in the garden. I’ve always loved cypresses.

Furiously. Well, I’m not going to spare your feelings, or anyone else’s.

You’re the most infuriating set of hypocrites I’ve ever seen. This house is a complete featherbed of false emotions⁠—you’re posing, self-centred egotists, and I’m sick to death of you.

Don’t speak to me—I’ve been working up for this, only every time I opened my mouth I’ve been mowed down by theatrical effects. You haven’t got one sincere or genuine feeling among the lot of you—you’re artificial to the point of lunacy.

Don’t speak to me—I’ve been working up for this, only every time I opened my mouth I’ve been mowed down by theatrical effects. You haven’t got one sincere or genuine feeling among the lot of you—you’re artificial to the point of lunacy.

It’s a great pity you ever left the stage, Judith⁠—it’s your rightful home.

You can rant and roar there as much as ever you like—

Taking it from her.

Dear Referee! It’s so unselfconscious.

If you want any more coffee, ring for it. She goes out.

Sitting down.

I wish I were sitting on a lovely South Sea island, with masses of palm trees and coconuts and turtles⁠—

It would be divine, wouldn’t it?

Why not let Father get on with it?

It’s so silly to get cross at criticism⁠—it indicates a small mind.

That was very rude. I shall go to my room in a minute.