A. A. Milne

“ The more I long for peace, the more I long for that historic smoke. When Louisa's brother or Nora's uncle has a long pessimistic talk with Kitchener, then I look sadly at my cigar; but when French and Joffre unbend to Vera's stepfather or Beryl's cousin and give him words of cheer, then I take it out and pinch it fondly, and already I see the waiter coming round with a torch to light it. ”

“ I get all my best news from Celia nowadays. When I meet you in the City and mention that I know for a fact that the Kaise is in hiding at Liverpool, you may be sure that Celia saw Vera yesterday morning and that Vera's uncle is somebody important on the Liverpool Defence Committee.
Twice a week Celia ties up parcels for the Fleet. Ordinary people provide the blankets, sea-boots, chocolate, periscopes and so forth; Celia looks after the brown paper and string, which always seems to me the most tricky part. There are a dozen of them, all working together ”