--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She had never seen the Tree House at…" description: "\"“She had never seen the Tree House at night. Vast and dark, lit with candles for the occasion, the rooms looked magical, the staircase a citadel, with ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/allegra-goodman-11384_ivy_she-had-never-seen-the-tree-house-at-nig_2692152.jpg" --- # She had never seen the Tree House at night. Vast and dark… ![“She had never seen the Tree House at night. Vast and dark, lit with candles for the occasion, the rooms looked magical, the staircase a citadel, with its own strange inglenooks and deep dusty treads. In the fireplace, instead of wood, a great gong and mallet hung from a stand. The rooms were…” quote by Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/allegra-goodman-11384_ivy_she-had-never-seen-the-tree-house-at-nig_2692152.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/allegra-goodman-11384_ivy_she-had-never-seen-the-tree-house-at-nig_2692152.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ffa/allegra-goodman-11384_ivy_she-had-never-seen-the-tree-house-at-nig_2692152.jpg) > ““She had never seen the Tree House at night. Vast and dark, lit with candles for the occasion, the rooms looked magical, the staircase a citadel, with its own strange inglenooks and deep dusty treads. In the fireplace, instead of wood, a great gong and mallet hung from a stand. The rooms were filled with couches and mismatched armchairs, and floor cushions, some with cats, and some without. Living ivy climbed to the ceiling and outlined every aperture. In the candlelight the ivy-framed bay window became a bower, the doorways passages to secret gardens.”” [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A magical, candlelit treehouse becomes a sanctuary where imagination and wonder intertwine with everyday life. **In simple terms:** A secret, enchanting space offers escape and inspiration. Key Takeaway Create personal sanctuaries for imagination. Themes imagination sanctuary wonder Mood dreamy curious Type inspirational reflective When to use this quote - home decor - mindfulness practices Key Concepts creative spaces personal retreats Questions to Reflect On - What does your secret space look like? - How can you bring wonder into daily routines? A Different Perspective Escapism can hinder confronting reality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Jess-bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jess-bach/) [Magical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magical/) ## Related quotes > [“A tree house, to me, is the most royal palace in the world”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/munia-khan/a-tree-house-to-me-is-the-most-royal-palace-in-the-world/) [Munia Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/munia-khan/) > [“On the third day, she smelled the fruit as soon as she came in. She followed the scent to the kitchen, and the peach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/on-the-third-day-she-smelled-the-fruit-as-soon-as-she-came-in-she/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Jess herself had not eaten fowl or roast or even fish in years, but the books awakened memories of turkey and thick gravy, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/jess-herself-had-not-eaten-fowl-or-roast-or-even-fish-in-years-but/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“I prefer feeling insignificant," said Jess. "I don't believe that." "I didn't say worthless, I said insignificant, as in the grand scheme of things."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/i-prefer-feeling-insignificant-said-jess-i-don-t-believe-that-i-didn/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“A peach, slightly unbalanced, so that it listed to one side, its hue the color of an early sunrise. Had George remembered their conversation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/a-peach-slightly-unbalanced-so-that-it-listed-to-one-side-its-hue-the/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“The sisters' voices were almost identical, laughing mezzos tuned in childhood to the same pitch and timbre. To the ear, they were twins; to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/the-sisters-voices-were-almost-identical-laughing-mezzos-tuned-in/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“I used to write poetry when I was younger," Jess said. She had kept a notebook by her bed, in case some line or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/i-used-to-write-poetry-when-i-was-younger-jess-said-she-had-kept-a/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep," Jess intoned as they took the path down from the parking lot. She had imagined finding a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/the-woods-are-lovely-dark-and-deep-jess-intoned-as-they-took-the-path/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Yorick's Used and Rare Books had a small storefront on Channing but a deep interior shaded by tall bookcases crammed with history, poetry, theology,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/yorick-s-used-and-rare-books-had-a-small-storefront-on-channing-but-a/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“To make a tarte of strawberyes," wrote Margaret Parker in 1551, "take and strayne theym with the yolkes of four eggs, and a little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/to-make-a-tarte-of-strawberyes-wrote-margaret-parker-in-1551-take-and/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Who are you? She asked silently, as she laid away the collector's quotations, his drawings, his scraps of famous poetry: "Come live with me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/who-are-you-she-asked-silently-as-she-laid-away-the-collector-s/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“She knew she was overextended, but she couldn't help herself. Student, tree lover, citizen of the Earth, she was busier than ever as she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-knew-she-was-overextended-but-she-couldn-t-help-herself-student/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Satin occupied a couple of rooms which a chemist had furnished for her in order to rescue her from the clutches of the police;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mile-zola/satin-occupied-a-couple-of-rooms-which-a-chemist-had-furnished-for/) [Émile Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mile-zola/) > [“A powerful wind swept through the shtetl, making it whistle. Those studying obscure texts in dimly lit rooms looked up. Lovers making amends and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/a-powerful-wind-swept-through-the-shtetl-making-it-whistle-those/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [“The first time I walked through the spacious house, I didn't see possibility or a new start. I saw a big, empty space. These…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-talbot/the-first-time-i-walked-through-the-spacious-house-i-didn-t-see/) [Jill Talbot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-talbot/) ## More by Allegra Goodman > [“On the third day, she smelled the fruit as soon as she came in. She followed the scent to the kitchen, and the peach…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/on-the-third-day-she-smelled-the-fruit-as-soon-as-she-came-in-she/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Know your literary tradition, savor it, steal from it, but when you sit down to write, forget about worshiping greatness and fetishizing masterpieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/know-your-literary-tradition-savor-it-steal-from-it-but-when-you-sit/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Sandra turned to the page with the title "Toklas' Hashich Fudge." The original hashish brownies. 'Peppercorns, nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander, stone dates, dried figs, shelled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/sandra-turned-to-the-page-with-the-title-toklas-hashich-fudge-the/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Giddy with each other and the wine, they strolled outside through the Presidio, the old fort now housing restaurants and galleries. Jess explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/giddy-with-each-other-and-the-wine-they-strolled-outside-through-the/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“How sad, he thought, that desire found new objects but did not abate, that when it came to longing there was no end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/how-sad-he-thought-that-desire-found-new-objects-but-did-not-abate/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“There were three wedding cakes, curious and historical but tasty, each labeled with a calligraphed card: "Plumb Cake" with currants, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, salt,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/there-were-three-wedding-cakes-curious-and-historical-but-tasty-each/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“When I first enjoyed this superb view, one glowing April day," Jess read aloud, "from the summit of the Pacheco Pass, the Central Valley,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/when-i-first-enjoyed-this-superb-view-one-glowing-april-day-jess-read/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“The wines were great, and better by the minute, even as the drinkers softened. Just as wines opened at the table, so the friends'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/the-wines-were-great-and-better-by-the-minute-even-as-the-drinkers/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Who are you? She asked silently, as she laid away the collector's quotations, his drawings, his scraps of famous poetry: "Come live with me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/who-are-you-she-asked-silently-as-she-laid-away-the-collector-s/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“She was surprised because she was Emily, and she did not share Jonathan's frank assessment of coworkers as losers, whiners, bozos, sharks. No, she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-was-surprised-because-she-was-emily-and-she-did-not-share/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [I do not think novels are necessarily more worthwhile than games. A novel can be a trivial waste of time, and a game can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/i-do-not-think-novels-are-necessarily-more-worthwhile-than-games-a/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [The new one actually reads, but only to pass judgment. This is the way kids learn today. Someone told them how you feel is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/the-new-one-actually-reads-but-only-to-pass-judgment-this-is-the-way/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [I do think some games are works of art, although their medium is visual rather than verbal. Both games and novels allow the reader/player…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/i-do-think-some-games-are-works-of-art-although-their-medium-is/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [“Jess gazed at the apples arranged in all their colors: russet, blushing pink, freckled gold. She cast her eyes over heaps of pumpkins, bins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/jess-gazed-at-the-apples-arranged-in-all-their-colors-russet-blushing/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) [Explore all 60 Allegra Goodman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) ## More Ivy quotes > [I hate to see prudence clinging to the green suckers of youth; 'tis like ivy round a sapling, and spoils the growth of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/i-hate-to-see-prudence-clinging-to-the-green-suckers-of-youth-tis/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Actually,” I said, hesitant to bring it up, “I was thinking along the lines of a curse that can turn you human.” “Or witch?”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/actually-i-said-hesitant-to-bring-it-up-i-was-thinking-along-the/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [Wall must get the weather stain Before they grow the ivy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-barrett-browning/wall-must-get-the-weather-stain-before-they-grow-the-ivy/) [Elizabeth Barrett Browning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-barrett-browning/) > [“From somewhere above me, there was an irritated hiss. ‘Food.’ I strained my head upwards. ‘Hi, Brutus.’ His yellow eyes stared down at me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-harper/from-somewhere-above-me-there-was-an-irritated-hiss-food-i-strained/) [Helen Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-harper/) > [I'm an Ivy League-educated lawyer, so you'd think the world wouldn't mess with me, right? But I've been paid $10,000 less than a less…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-park/i-m-an-ivy-league-educated-lawyer-so-you-d-think-the-world-wouldn-t/) [Jane Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-park/) > [“Ivy waved the wet handkerchief, as much as to say, words cannot possibly articulate my profound distress. Then, because Ivy never settled for meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ivy-waved-the-wet-handkerchief-as-much-as-to-say-words-cannot/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Sit, Phantom!" Ivy cooed. "On your bottom!" "Oh, for goodness' sake!" Gabriel put down his book and pointed a longer finger at Phantom. "Sit,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-adornetto/sit-phantom-ivy-cooed-on-your-bottom-oh-for-goodness-sake-gabriel-put/) [Alexandra Adornetto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-adornetto/) > [Uh... ," Ivy stammered, and I glanced up to see her eyes wide in consideration. "I'm kidding," I said. "It passed the lethal-amulet test,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/uh-ivy-stammered-and-i-glanced-up-to-see-her-eyes-wide-in/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [...Ivy’s COOK THE STEAK, DON’T STAKE THE COOK apron...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/ivy-s-cook-the-steak-don-t-stake-the-cook-apron/) [Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/) > [I don't think that writing talent has much to do with where one went to school, or the number of degrees on one's business…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/i-don-t-think-that-writing-talent-has-much-to-do-with-where-one-went/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [If parents are aiming at choosing children who will be good athletes, or great musicians, or who will get into Ivy League schools, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-sandel/if-parents-are-aiming-at-choosing-children-who-will-be-good-athletes/) [Michael Sandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-sandel/) > [I never graduated high school; they had to change the Ivy League rules. During my tenure at Brown, I helped them become the number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-evans/i-never-graduated-high-school-they-had-to-change-the-ivy-league-rules/) [Robert Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-evans/) > [ Forgive me if, in friendship’s way, I offer thee a wreath of May… \[N\]ourished by the dews of heaven… So I have Ivy placed… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-clare/forgive-me-if-in-friendship-s-way-i-offer-thee-a-wreath-of-may-n/) [John Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-clare/) > [The word ‘philanthropy’ brings up an image of somebody who’s had an illustrious career, has retired and is giving to highly established institutions that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-arrillaga-andreessen/the-word-philanthropy-brings-up-an-image-of-somebody-who-s-had-an/) [Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-arrillaga-andreessen/) > [I am not a lover of lawns. Rather would I see daisies in their thousands, ground ivy, hawkweed, and even the hated plantain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-hudson/i-am-not-a-lover-of-lawns-rather-would-i-see-daisies-in-their/) [William Henry Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-hudson/) Browse all 216 Ivy quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“She had never seen the Tree House at night. Vast and dark, lit with candles for the occasion, the rooms looked magical, the staircase a citadel, with its own strange inglenooks and deep dusty treads. In the fireplace, instead of wood, a great gong and mallet hung from a stand. The rooms were filled with couches and mismatched armchairs, and floor cushions, some with cats, and some without. Living ivy climbed to the ceiling and outlined every aperture. 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