Letterwriting is the natural outlet of the "odds." The busy-bodies, the idle, the perverted, the cranks, the feel-it-my-duties ... Also the plain depraved. They all write letters. It's their safe outlet, you see. They can be as interfering, as long-winded,… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
There were people whose only interest in life was writing letters. To the newspapers, to authors, to strangers, to City Councils, to the police. It did not much matter to whom; the satisfaction of writing seemed to be all. — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“She put her cup down and sighed again with pleasure. "I can't think how the Nonconformists have failed to discover coffee." "Discover it?" "Yes.… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“The only thing that counted to her was her own opinion of herself. If that became smirched or spoiled there would be nothing left.… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
The worst of pushing horrible things down into one's subconscious is that when they pop up again they are as fresh as if they… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“This is nice,” she said. “They’re not very high, but I hate walking in them.” “What are?” “My shoes.” She held up a foot… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
It was pleasant to talk shop again; to use that elliptical, allusive speech that one uses only with another of one's trade. — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“Silas’s last book: mother lying-in with her eleventh upstairs, father laid-out after his ninth downstairs, eldest son lying to the Government in the cow-shed,… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
It's an odd thing but when you tell someone the true facts of a mythical tale they are indignant not with the teller but… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“How old was More when Richard succeeded? He was five. When that dramatic council scene had taken place at the Tower, Thomas More had… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“She'll never ride," Eleanor said. She can't even bump the saddle yet." "Perhaps loony people can't ride," Ruth suggested. "Ruth," Bee said, with vigour.… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
The truth of anything at all doesn't lie in someone's account of it. It lies in all the small facts of the time. An… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
“Alan Grant: "There are... far too many words written. Millions and millions of them pouring from the presses every minute. It's a horrible thought."… — Josephine Tey Copy Share Image
