Clifton Chronicles Quotes

Some people standby you in your darkest hour while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends.

If you make a deal with a fool, don't be surprised when they act foolishly.

I find I don't learn a lot while I'm talking

You can often judge the character of a person by the way he treats his fellow men.

There are defining moments in one's life when you learn about yourself, and you deposit that knowledge in the experience account, so you can draw on it at some later date.

The sign of a great man is how you handle defeat. - Old Jack

The worst moment of any campaign is waiting for the sun to rise on the morning of the battle

A work of art is worth what someone will pay for it.

Sometimes an abundance of sympathy can be more overwhelming than solitude

Time spent on preparation is seldom wasted.

You see, the problem with being a bully is that on the flipside of that particular coin, you’ll find the imprint of a coward.

No time like the present

Good night, good night, parting is such sweet sorrow,' she whispered 'That I shall say good night till it be morrow,' Harry replied.

only a fool blames the messenger.

You’re so bossy.” “Why is a woman always described as bossy, when if a man did the same thing he’d be thought of as decisive, commanding and displaying qualities of leadership?

Sometimes it’s an advantage to be disadvantaged,

An unguarded comment often proves every bit as valuable as a response to a direct question.

The heights by great men reached and kept were not attained by sudden flight, but they, while their companions slept, were toiling upward in the night.

If you've struck gold, why go in search of brass?

In the end, it all comes down to how you cope with the unforeseen.

For the Indians, cricket is not a game, it’s a religion.

In any conversation, it's often something that seems quite insignificant at the time that gives you the piece of information you're looking for.

The English are the biggest snobs on earth Harry.

if you’ve got a problem, sleep on it before you make a decision you might later regret. Things always look rosier in the morning.

Some clever children don’t discover how bright they are until after they’ve left school,’ continued Mr Holcombe, ‘and then spend the rest of their lives regretting the wasted years.

birth is life’s first lottery ticket.

Seven pounds, nine shillings and sixpence turned out to be the value they’d put on Arthur’s life. I sat alone at the kitchen table, and I think that was the moment I knew I’d never see my husband again.

stop for a drink, which made him feel

I find I don’t learn a lot while I’m talking,

Eton has been known to bend the rules when it comes to members of the aristocracy

if you make a deal with a fool, don’t be surprised when they act foolishly.

Clifton, in life you get what you deserve, no more and certainly no less.

In normal circumstances, being presented with a tied vote, I would not hesitate to support the Law Lords in their earlier judgment,

when there was a third rap.

sending

you should take your consciences with you, and leave your politics in the chamber.’ Lord

Sometimes it’s an advantage to be disadvantaged,’ said Harry.

said without looking up. ‘That’s no reason not to say goodbye

Some people stand by you in your darkest hour, while others walk away; only a select few march toward you and become even closer friends.

coffin nails. Once Stan had left for

sometimes an abundance of sympathy can be more overwhelming than solitude. Giles

Ideas smack of rebellion and rebellions must be put

the English and the Americans were divided by a common language.

Like a blind man, unaware of race or religion, he quickly discovered that prejudice was often taught at the breakfast table.

Haven’t seen him since he clocked off last

Knowles,” said Emma,

there are defining moments in one’s life when you learn a lot about yourself, and you deposit that knowledge in the experience account, so you can draw on it at some later date.

Wellington wrote in his memoirs,’ said Old Jack, ‘that the worst moment of any campaign is waiting for the sun to rise on the morning of battle.

hockey field at Red Maids’ School. By the time Emma had explained why she crossed the Atlantic despite the risks involved, they were both staring at her as if she’d just landed from

bad, or you might prefer a whisky.’ ‘A half of bitter will be just fine,’ said Giles, taking a seat at the small, beer-stained table. While Karin’s father was ordering the drinks, Giles

company. She

I should have prepared you for a brand of snobbery that no other nation on earth can emulate.

but he still wasn’t sure how to respond to the English obsession with the weather.

of

not a single woman

Some people stand by you in your darkest hour, while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends.

Barrington?

have

disappeared

Deakins is in my class but, frankly, he’s in a different class.

together

Simply giving money to charity is the easy way out. Giving time is much more precious. So make it your aim that,

Fathers don’t ask their children’s permission to marry. In any case, I’m sure they’ll be delighted.

longer looking at the

It’s just that I was released from prison today.

I watched Hugo Barrington when he gave his evidence. The same self-confidence, the same arrogance, the same half-truths spouted convincingly to the jury, just as he’d whispered them to me in the privacy of the bedroom.

own moral standards. It was just a pity that Major Fisher had no standards, and Don Pedro Martinez no morals.

causing him any difficulties.” “Not that I’m aware of,” said Matron. “If it is, it certainly doesn’t stop him hitting a

must now

the worst moment of any campaign is waiting for the sun to rise on the morning of battle.

I have experienced both triumph and disaster, and, to quote Kipling, have treated those two imposters just the same.

Proust said, we all end up doing the thing we’re second best at.

Parents, Maisie had learnt over the years, may be considered an unfortunate necessity by their offspring, but more often than not they are also an embarrassment.

Susan Fisher

I don’t think so,’ said Harry calmly. ‘You see, the problem with being a bully is that on the flipside of that particular coin, you’ll find the imprint of a coward.

No escape plan can ever be foolproof,’ interjected the brigadier. ‘In the end, it all comes down to how you cope with the unforeseen.

for his presence will become clear.” They all sat down around a circular table in the center of the room. “I realize this meeting was called to discuss

vote tonight?” “I did not apply for

only thing you need to worry about is which block they put you on. As you’re a first-timer you’ll probably end up on A block, where life is a lot easier. The old-timers, like me, are usually sent to D block, where there’s no one under thirty and no one with a record for violence, so it’s the ideal set-up

Winston Churchill had once told him, “An important speech should take an hour to write for every minute it took to deliver, while at the same time, dear boy, you must leave your audience convinced it was off the cuff.

Sir Alan Redmayne believed in the rule of law. It was, after all, the basis of any democracy. Whenever asked, Sir Alan agreed with Churchill that, as a form of government, democracy had its disadvantages, but, on balance, it remained the best on offer. But given a free hand, he would have opted for a benevolent dictatorship. The problem was that dictators, by their very nature, were not benevolent. It simply didn’t fit their job description.

It was that time every afternoon when prisoners were released from their cells for an hour and allowed to walk around the yard, get some exercise and be reunited with their mates so they could work on their next crime before they were released. Mellor

This is the BBC in London. You will now hear a statement from the Prime Minister.” “I am speaking to you from the Cabinet room, Ten Downing Street. This morning the British Ambassador in Berlin handed the German government a final note, stating that unless we heard from them by eleven o’clock, that they were prepared at once to withdraw their troops from Poland, a state of war would exist between us. I have to tell you now, that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently, this country is at war with Germany.

Nick Croft has

Men often fall in love at first sight

e-ISBN 9781250034472

You are so silly sometimes, Jess. I fell in love with you, and I don’t give a damn who your

I am sure the House will agree that given these circumstances, my final judgment will require the wisdom of Solomon.

deal with all four of them in one masterful stroke. Sir Alan Redmayne believed in the rule of law. It was,

They also serve who only stand and wait.

When a woman shows some leadership,’ said Maisie, ‘she’s immediately branded as bossy, but when a man does exactly the same thing, he’s described as decisive, and a born leader.

Just remember, New York isn’t an offshoot of Bloomsbury. Forget refinement, understatement and irony. However much it’s against your better nature, you’ll have to learn to sell your wares like an East End barrow boy.

The remainder of my estate, including twenty-two percent of Barrington Shipping, as well as the Manor House—” Mr. Siddons couldn’t resist a glance in the direction of Lady Virginia Fenwick, who was sitting on the edge of her seat—“is to be left to my beloved … daughters Emma and Grace, to dispose of as they see fit, with the exception of my Siamese cat, Cleopatra, who I leave to Lady Virginia Fenwick, because they have so much in common. They are both beautiful, well-groomed, vain, cunning, manipulative predators, who assume that everyone else was put on earth to serve them, including my besotted son, who I can only pray will break from the spell she has cast on him before it is too late.

Only Sebastian really knew what she was going through. Her demons, as she called them. Jessica never stopped chattering whenever they were on their own, but the moment she became the centre of attention, like a tortoise she slipped back into her shell, hoping no one would notice her.

Winston Churchill had once told him, “An important speech should take an hour to write for every minute it took to deliver, while at the same time, dear boy, you must leave your audience convinced it was off the cuff.” That was the difference between a mere speaker and an orator, Churchill had suggested.

He began with The Bigger They Come by Erle Stanley Gardner, before moving on to Raymond Chandler’s The Big Sleep.

darling,’ said Virginia quietly.

opinion,

Stanley Matthews

TO GWYNETH

If that guy had defended Pontius Pilate, he would have convinced the jury that he was simply assisting a young carpenter who wanted to buy some nails for a cross he was working on.

Wellington once told a junior officer that timing was everything in life, and who was Hugo to disagree with the victor of Waterloo, especially when the great man’s prophecy was about to apply to him? He

It may have been inconsiderate of me not to respond to those who had only kindness in their hearts, but sometimes an abundance of sympathy can be more overwhelming than solitude. Giles

Pengelly looked away. ‘See you both around twelve,

Some things never change

Dead men's words are so much more powerful than those of the living

Why is a woman always described as bossy, when if a man did the same thing he’d be thought of as decisive, commanding, and displaying qualities of leadership?

the

Only Time Will Tell

sometimes an abundance of sympathy can be more overwhelming than solitude.

For the senior boys,” he turned his attention to the back of the hall, “you don’t have a moment to lose if you hope to be offered a place at the school of your first choice. Never settle for second best.

WHEN UNCLE STAN rose in the morning, he somehow managed to wake the entire household. No one complained, as he was the breadwinner in the family, and in any case he was cheaper and more reliable than an alarm clock.

Jack. “When I was your age,” he

a heart attack, while in custody at Wimbledon Police

log fire, enjoying tea and crumpets

parking space—44 Eaton…? He flicked it quickly back

Some people stand by you in your darkest hour, while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends. Once

and, as there wasn’t enough breakfast to go round, she set out hungry on the long walk to the docks.

We should, of course, look back with pride on our colonial empire, but be willing at the same time to grasp the nettles of opportunity.

Whenever you’re interviewed, think British, act Yiddish

During the next few days, Harry learnt

And then he realized—it had to be Tom Bradshaw’s father.

time.” “We better,” Carrie replied. “Clifton assured me that all cavalrymen have been pulled away from Richmond for a while. He received word from the captain that we shouldn’t have any trouble. I hope he was right.” Carrie glanced back with satisfaction at the crates of herbs stacked securely in the wagon. She knew Pemberton had been hard-pressed to keep his men from destroying them. They had been eager

behind his desk and smiled at her. ‘John

his

same

dilemma

nearest gutter if he thought it would

the same pulling power as the other lads in the bank.” “I’ll tell you about the other lads,” said Cedric. “Once they’ve got a couple of pints in them, they’d have you believe they give James Bond lessons. And I can tell you, with most of them, it’s all talk.” “Did you have the same problem when you were my age?” “Certainly not,” said Cedric. “But then I met Beryl when I was six, and I haven’t looked

what it is, Anscott, a short-term compromise. If at some time in the future Barrington’s needs to

Ideas smack of rebellion and rebellions must be put down.

way up

He remained silent for the rest of the journey, having been made painfully aware that birth is life’s first lottery ticket. Tom

If you are lucky enough to have been born an Englishman, you have drawn first prize in the lottery of life.’ The

Which

I’ll bet you can’t tell me who designed the garden. I’ll give you a clue: it’s later than the house.’ ‘I’ve only ever heard of one landscape gardener,’ said Harry, still staring at the house. ‘Capability Brown.’ ‘That’s exactly why we chose him,’ said Giles, ‘simply so that my friends would have heard of the fellow two hundred years later.’ Harry

anyone can be a good winner. The sign of a great man is how you handle defeat.

It would be fine, if only I knew how to turn the shower off.” Guinzburg laughed. “Perhaps you should ask Miss Redwood to come to your rescue.” “If she did, I’m not sure I’d know how to turn her off.” “Ah, so she’s already subjected you to her lecture on the importance of getting Nothing Ventured on to the bestseller list as quickly as possible.

She would have made a great teacher, and hundreds of children would have benefited from her wisdom and common sense. The truth is, we lost two generations of men in world wars, and two generations of women who weren’t given the chance to take their places.

the agenda well in advance; the questions that would be asked, the replies that would be

seen

But suddenly it was no longer a rehearsal.

The English are the biggest snobs on earth, and most of the time without reason. The lesser the talent, the bigger the snob, in my experience. It’s the only way the so

I made only one real friend while I ‘loitered’ around the dockyard. His name was Old Jack Tar. Mr Tar lived in an abandoned railway carriage at the end of the sheds. Uncle Stan told me to keep away from Old Jack because he was a stupid, dirty old tramp. He didn’t look that dirty to me, certainly not as dirty as Stan, and it wasn’t long before I discovered he wasn’t stupid either

he continued to think about his father. No son could have asked for a better mentor or friend. When he looked back on his life, all his actions, judgments and decisions were nothing more than pale imitations of his father’s.

on Fifth Avenue

prejudice was often taught at the breakfast table.

when mothers stop kissing their children, and young men start kissing their mothers?

few even have a woman on the board.

spilled their blood on European soil,

sotto voce

Sometimes it’s an advantage to be disadvantaged

members

didn’t

I’m

that often the onlooker suffers even more than the participant.

Archer’s

walked

unhappiness.

I do have a built-in advantage,’ said Giles. ‘I am my father’s son.

He was already taller than his mother. Would he end up taller than his father?

Too frightened to set a precedent, but quite happy to pass the buck.

I don’t know,” sighed

The last thing you need are any false accusations or rumours that will only cause ill-feeling among your staff.

embarrassed, and Maisie wondered if she might later ask

At least, not until she met Patrick Casey, who proved that the charm of the Irish was not just a cliche.

another

When does that moment come, Emma wondered, when mothers stop kissing their children, and young men start kissing their mothers?

exhibition

month’s pocket

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog’, which, Mr Holcombe pointed out, contained every letter in the alphabet. I checked, and he turned out to be right.

Over supper of a bowl of Heinz tomato soup and a sausage roll, he went over again and

Are you all right, my luv?” asked a lady who had moved from the other side of the carriage to sit next to Old Jack. “Yes, thank you,” he said, the tears streaming down his face. “It’s just that I was released from prison today.

never thought they’d see in their lifetime. With

At least it taught me a simple lesson: if you make a deal with a fool, don’t be surprised when they act foolishly.

understand the

It may have been inconsiderate of me not to respond to those who had only kindness in their hearts, but sometimes an abundance of sympathy can be more overwhelming than solitude.

By the way, where is the bitch?” Giles had thought there was nothing his sister could ever say that would shock him. How wrong he was. “I’ve no idea,” he eventually managed. “She hasn’t been in contact with me for over a year. But if you believe the Daily Express, she’s currently to be found in St. Tropez on the arm of an Italian

Noche.

his old school that if there’d been

Virginia Fenwick is considering selling

Katrs var kļūt par labu uzvarētāju. Par cilvēka dižumu liecina tas, kā viņš prot pieņemt zaudējumu.

was asking himself long before he’d

My dearest mother, I have done everything in my power to make sure you receive this letter before anyone can tell you that I died at sea. As the date on this letter shows, I did not perish when

This is bench number two, and I’ll take over bench number one when Old Joey dies, which shouldn’t be long now. Mr Watson’s got bench number three, so he’ll get bench number two when I get bench number one. But I’ve already warned him he’s going to have to wait a long time.

watched Hugo Barrington when he gave his evidence. The same self-confidence, the same arrogance, the same half-truths spouted convincingly to the jury, just as he’d whispered them to me in the privacy of the bedroom. When he stepped down from the witness box, I knew Stan didn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of getting off.

spot him.

Blakemore

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog,” which, Mr. Holcombe pointed out, contained every letter in the alphabet. I checked, and he turned out to be right.