A. T. Quiller-Couch

“ It came on him suddenly that this child, whom he loved, was shut out from many of his dearest thoughts.
"Oxford is a city," he answered; and added, "the most beautiful city in the world."
"Shall I ever go there?" Taffy asked.
Mr. Raymond walked off without seeming to hear the question. But that evening after supper he told the most wonderful tales of Oxford, while Taffy listened and hoped his mother would forget his bedtime; and Humility listened too, bending over her guipure. The love with which he looked back to Oxford was the second passion of Samuel Raymond's life ”

“ Honoria began upon the A B C.
Mr. Raymond brought a pile of his own books, and worked at them, scribbling notes in the margin or on long slips of paper, while the children learnt. A servant came in with a message from Squire Moyle, and he left them for a while.
"I call this nonsense," said Honoria. "How am I to get these silly letters into my head?"
Taffy was glad of the chance to show off. "Oh, that's easy. You make up a tale about them. See here. A is the end of a house; it's just like one with a beam across. B is a cat with his tail curled under him—watch me drawing it. ”

“ But after this she was always asking for stories, and always listened solemnly, with her dark eyes fixed on his face. She never seemed to admire him at all for his gift, but treated it with a kind of indulgent wonder, as if he were some queer animal with uncommon tricks. ”