He felt terribly sorry for humanity, as if he did not belong to it.

"Gravement Endommage" in #HesterLilly by Elizabeth Taylor nee Coles #PostWW2 #SatantangoTogether #WritersDetachment

I knew that children were not worth acting for. ... We were a worthless audience. That she should dissemble for me made me feel very sad and responsible. I was burdened with what I had not said to comfort her.

#NowReading Elizabeth Taylor nee Coles #HesterLilly (1954) "The Idea of Age"

Their lives had been touched so lightly by magic that perhaps only the seeds of a legend were left, or less--no trace at all, but they felt easeful, thinking of the swan in its new home.

"Swan-moving" Elizabeth Taylor nee Coles #HesterLilly (1954)

His gaiety, which was the gayest gaiety I ever encountered, had some of the same formality. In England, gaiety is informal, spasmodic. We do not reserve it for special occasions, and at Christmas, it is sometimes a dogged duty.

"Plenty Good Fiesta" by Elizabeth Taylor nee Coles #HesterLilly