Wrote Quote by Elizabeth von Arnim
““I know, from the results, that this was so. More acquaintances wrote touching letters, saying how much they longed for air that was pure, how much they envied me mine, and how wretched it was to be so utterly broke that they couldn’t manage St. Moritz that year. And since, as I have already indicated, I am not able to say No when taken suddenly, nor, I find, if appeals are made to my goodnature—it is so flattering to be supposed goodnatured!—I wrote back in each case and said, Do come. Besides, I did feel that to have that roomy châlet, and all its bathrooms, in such persistently crystalline weather only for me and Coco, while people in London were being swamped by rain or strangled by fogs, was in the nature of a disgrace. Accordingly my house was never empty. On the contrary, since few went and many came, it ended by being full to overflowing, and, except that there were no bills at the end, very like an hotel. A popular resort, in fact. If I had been in Baedeker, I daresay I would have got three stars. Three stars, though, or that which they represent, are expensive, and presently I found that I was growing poor. I had started off on my career as hostess—a career””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Enchanted April, Elizabeth von Arnim, 1922
The narrator feels compelled to share her luxurious mountain retreat with friends, turning personal wealth into a communal haven despite financial strain.
In simple terms: She opens her home to many, making it like a hotel.
Key Takeaway
Share generosity even when resources are limited.
Themes
generosity
hospitality
class
wealth
community
Mood
reflective
empathetic
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- vacation planning
- hosting friends
- budget travel
- social gatherings
- financial planning
Key Concepts
social dynamics
economic tension
hospitality ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How does sharing wealth affect personal identity?
- What limits exist when generosity meets scarcity?
A Different Perspective
The narrator may be masking underlying insecurity about status.
