The Women in Black

A clever girl is the most wonderful thing in all Creation you know: you must never forget that. People expect men to be clever. They expect girls to be stupid or at least silly, which very few girls really are, but most girls oblige them by acting like it. So you just go away and be as clever as ever you can: put their noses out of joint for them. It's the best thing you could possibly do, you and all the clever girls in this city and the world.

the worst of it was that she had forgotten her book; she had nothing to read.

I had not imagined you to have such a story to tell - you Australians are mysterious people, no one would guess that this is a place where people can also suffer. It is the constant sunshine, it hides everything but itself.

After the swim they argued no more; the blue Pacific had washed away all their irritation, as it generally does.

In Melbourne they have more need of cake,” said Stefan, “having more or less nothing else.

So Rudi,” he said, “we have been discussing Jane Austen. Tell us what you think of her.” “My opinion has yet to be formed,” said Rudi. “I have read not one word.” “Ah, a philistine,” said Stefan. “I have always wanted to meet one.

Patty saw the shame and confusion on his face. She felt not tenderness or sympathy, but a sort of resignation. Oh God, her mother had been right: men were children, who did not understand themselves, and could not.

Young girl. New frock. Box of chocolates. That's all just as it should be!

So tonight he sulked off–’Things to do. See youse on Monday!’ And he went, without even thinking where, to another pub on the other side of Central Railway Station [...] I feel like a whisky, he thought; I just feel like a whisky. “Scotch or Australian?” asked the barmaid. Well, there’s no need to go completely cuckoo, thought Frank. “Australian’s good enough for me,” he told the barmaid.

Stefan is becoming philosophical,” said Rudi, “give the poor blighter another glass of fizz.” “Not so much philosophical,” said Gyorgy, “as sententious. Give him a punch, not too hard, but palpable.” “Leave him alone,” said Eva, “I do not allow my guests to punch each other on Christmas Day.

I wonder why she hasn’t had any children.” “You should see her husband!” “Now, Lesley, what do you know about that?” “Well, he’s completely gormless.” “So are lots of men,” said Mrs Miles. “It doesn’t stop them from becoming fathers.

There is no law in this country,” said Magda, “against men helping their wives to clear up the mess, is there?” “As a matter of fact,” said Stefan, “I think there is.

Lisa noticed a weatherbeaten-looking man hovering about on the edge of the Ladies’ Cocktail section and she took particular note of him for the three very good reasons that, one, it was excessively rare to see a man (other than Mr Ryder) on this floor at all, and two, that if one were to see a man (other than Mr Ryder) here it would be a Rudi-ish sort of man, and not, three, someone who looked like one of the strange bipeds to be seen in the vicinity of the Hotel Australia during the week of the Sheep Show.

[T]he best thing to do when there’s anything unusual about you is to brazen it out.

She is a woman, although an Australian, so you know it is never after all only amusement on the part of a woman. The heart is always engaged, and so may be broken.