“When the children were ready to go to bed, Katie did something very unusual. It was unusual because she was not a… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“The baby Francie crowed with delight as her grandmother held up the cruet and the sun shone through it and made a… — Betty Smith Rainbow Copy Share Image
“But there was no music in the children. Evy took the bull by the horns. They would have to love music whether… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“In the future, when something comes up, you tell exactly how it happened but write down for yourself the way you think… — Betty Smith Future Copy Share Image
“What is the difference between happiness and contentment?" “Well, happy is like when somebody gives you a big hunk of something wonderful… — Betty Smith Contentment Copy Share Image
“What had granma Mary Rommely said? "To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or… — Betty Smith Glory Copy Share Image
“The Nolan's just could't get enough of life. They lived their own lives up to the hilt but that wasn't enough. They… — Betty Smith Life Copy Share Image
“Part of her life was made from the tree growing rankly in the yard. She was the bitter quarrels she had with… — Betty Smith Life Copy Share Image
“It was the best advice Francie ever got. Truth and fancy were so mixed up in her mind -- as they are… — Betty Smith Psychology Copy Share Image
“The spare Tynmore spinsters lay in their hard virginal bed. They groped for each other’s hands. “Did you hear it, Sister?” asked… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“There are two truths," said Katie finally. "As a mother, I say it would have been a terrible thing for a girl… — Betty Smith Parenting Copy Share Image
“Our family used to be like this strong cup,” thought Francie. “It was whole and sound and held things well. When papa… — Betty Smith Family Copy Share Image
It's come at last," she thought, "the time when you can no longer stand between your children and heartache. When there wasn't… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“For quite a while, Francie had been spelling out letters, sounding them and then putting the sounds together to mean a word.… — Betty Smith Language Copy Share Image
“You’ll never raise that one,” they told her. “Her color ain’t good. If the good Lord takes her, it will be for… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
You took a walk on a Sunday afternoon and came to a nice neighborhood, very refined. You saw a small one of… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
A lie was something you told because you were mean or a coward. A story was something you made up out of… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“It’s a fact. They’re gonna stop making liquor and in a few years the country will be dry. A man that works… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
It was the last time she’d see the river from that window. The last time of anything has the poignancy of death… — Betty Smith Death Copy Share Image
“It is good thing to learn the truth one's self. To first believe with all your heart, and then not to believe,… — Betty Smith Disappointment Copy Share Image
“Francie, huddled with other children of her kind, learned more that first day than she realized. She learned of the class system… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“The child must have a valuable thing which Is called imagination. The child must have a secret world in which live things… — Betty Smith Child Copy Share Image
“The child will grow up and find out things for herself. She will know that I lied. She will be disappointed." "That… — Betty Smith Character Copy Share Image
“She learned of the class system of a great Democracy. She was puzzled and hurt by teacher’s attitude. Obviously the teacher hated… — Betty Smith Stick together 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
“Say something," demanded Fancie. "Why don't you say something?" "What can I say?" "Say that I'm young-that I'll get over it. Go… — Betty Smith Broken hearts Copy Share Image
“You know, a lot of people would think that these stories that you're making up all the time were terrible lies because… — Betty Smith Lies Copy Share Image
It's a beautiful religion and I wish I understood it more. No, I don't want to understand it all. It's beautiful because… — Betty Smith Beautiful Copy Share Image
“Before school, there had to be vaccination. That was the law. How it was dreaded! When the health authorities tried to explain… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“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… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Her time has come," answered Miss Lizzie. "That's why I didn't marry Harvey - long ago when he asked me. I was… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“When she thought she was nearly finished, she noticed that the next shelf started up again with Browne. After that came Browning.… — Betty Smith Adventure Copy Share Image
“Francie had heard swearing since she had heard words. Obscenity and profanity had no meaning as such among those people. They were… — Betty Smith Emotion Copy Share Image
“They had grown out of childhood in the last few days. Christmas as Christmas had passed unnoticed since their father had died… — Betty Smith Children Copy Share Image
“Mama made the coach stop at a barber shop around the corner from their house. 'Go in there,' she told Francie, 'and… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“This could be a whole life," she thought. "You work eight hours a day covering wires to earn money to buy food… — Betty Smith Life Copy Share Image
“Francie went over to stand at the great window from which she could see the East River twenty stories below. It was… — Betty Smith Copy Share Image
“Spring came early that year and the sweet warm nights made her restless. She walked up and down the streets and through… — Betty Smith Spring Copy Share Image
“people always think that happiness is a far away thing, something complicated and hard to get. yet, little things can make it… — Betty Smith Contentment Copy Share Image
“This is the book, then, and the book of Shakespeare. And every day you must read a page of each to your… — Betty Smith Book Copy Share Image
