Houses Kept Quote by Agatha Christie
““when I was the proud owner of eight houses. I had become addicted to finding broken-down, slummy houses in London and making structural alterations, decorating and furnishing them. When the second war came and I had to pay war damage insurance on all these houses, it was not so funny. However, in the end they all showed a good profit when I sold them. It had been an enjoyable hobby while it lasted–and I am always interested to walk past one of ‘my’ houses, to see how they are being kept up, and to guess the sort of person who is living in them now. On””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Man Who Was Thursday (hypothetical attribution, likely misattributed)
The speaker describes a hobby of buying and renovating dilapidated houses, finding profit and personal satisfaction, but also the absurdity of war‑related expenses.
In simple terms: Renovating cheap houses gave profit and pleasure despite wartime costs.
Key Takeaway
Balance passion projects with practical risks.
Themes
real estate
war impact
personal hobby
Mood
nostalgic
thoughtful
Type
narrative
reflective
When to use this quote
- investment
- home renovation
- wartime economy
- personal nostalgia
Key Concepts
speculation
urban renewal
historical context
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives you to restore neglected spaces?
- How do external events affect personal ventures?
A Different Perspective
War damage costs can outweigh profits in some cases.
