“It was as if nothing wrong could happen in a world where things balanced so stilly.” — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
From that moment on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again. — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
New York! I've always wanted to see it and now I've see it. It's true what they say-- it's the most wonderful… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
As she read, at peace with the world and happy as only a little girl could be with a fine book and… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
If there was only one tree like that in the world, you would think it was beautiful. But because there are so… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss the lack of… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Intolerance is a thing that causes war, pogroms, crucifixions, lynchings, and makes people cruel to little children and each other. It is… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
It was a good thing that she got herself into this other school. It showed her that there were other worlds beside… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Mother, I am young. Mother, I am just eighteen. I am strong. I will work hard, Mother. But I do not want… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
Because the child must have a valuable thing which is called imagination. The child must have a secret world in which live… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Yes, when I get big and have my own home, no plush chairs and lace curtains for me. And no rubber plants. I'll have… — Betty Smith Copy Share
“Several times that day, the name or thought of Papa had come up. And each time, Francie had felt a flash of tenderness instead… — Betty Smith Copy Share
As long as one can suffer, one is living…live and suffer until life is gone. — Betty Smith Copy Share
“Sissy told them they were way behind the times; that midwives were things of the past. Besides, she informed them proudly, she had no… — Betty Smith Copy Share
“Why, Mrs McGarrity's all right. Mr McGarrity's all right, too. Only I guess they aren't all right to each other.” — Betty Smith Copy Share
“I drink because I don't stand a chance and I know it. I couldn't drive a truck and I couldn't get on the cops… — Betty Smith Copy Share
“Pipe dreams, he thought to himself, even while he was telling her about his dream winnings. But oh, how wonderful, he thought, if everything… — Betty Smith Copy Share
“Who wants to die? Everything struggles to live. Look at that tree growing up there out of that grating. It gets no sun, and… — Betty Smith Copy Share
“She sat in the sunshine watching the life on the street and guarding within herself, her own mystery of life.” — Betty Smith Copy Share
...the reading, the observing, the living from day to day. It was something that had been born into her and her only - the… — Betty Smith Copy Share
People always think that happiness is a faraway thing … something complicated and hard to get. Yet, what little things can make it up. — Betty Smith Copy Share
“Hildy O’Dair is old for her age,” she thought. “It’s like powder was sprinkled on her yellow hair. But she’s not much older than… — Betty Smith Copy Share
“One day they’re babies in buggies and the next day they’re in here taking picks. Kids grow up quick in this neighborhood.” — Betty Smith Copy Share
“If she never had any lovers, she kicks herself around when the change comes, thinking of all the fun she could have had, didn’t… — Betty Smith Copy Share
