"[Sebastian] was aware at once of that sense of depth and strength that all old houses have. The wide staircase rose only gradually, with shallow worn uncarpeted stairs that gave the impression that they would take you very deeply in to withdrawn and peaceful places. The hall was dark, velvety with shadow and cosily warm. Beneath his feet, under the shabby rag, he could feel uneven flagstones. Meg's soft voice, calling for Zelle, and the sound of Mouse lapping water from a bowl marked DOG no more affected the deep silence of the house than Meg's glowing little figure disturbed the shadows. There was an old settle against the dark-panelled wall and a pot of flowers on a table. The house smelled of flowers, furniture polish, baked apples, dog and tobacco. Somewhere in the shadows a grandfather clock struck one, and a cuckoo clock far away upstairs made the same remark."
From The Heart of the Family by Elizabeth Goudge.
See also The Bird in the Tree and The Herb of Grace, the first two books in the Eliot Chronicles of which The Heart of the Family is the third.
You have reminded me just how evocative the writing of EG is. I read many of her novels in my early twenties, have plenty of them on my shelves and I think they need a revisit. Gentle reading for uncertain days.
Posted by: Fran H-B | 19 June 2020 at 08:31 AM
You have reminded me just how evocative the writing of EG is. I read many of her novels in my early twenties, have plenty of them on my shelves and I think they need a revisit. Gentle reading for uncertain days.
Posted by: Fran H-B | 19 June 2020 at 08:31 AM
I have assembled all three (two library books, one my own) and am looking forward to settling down for a good read.
Posted by: Nora Veitch | 01 July 2020 at 04:37 PM