--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She stretched out her hand, saying…" description: "\"She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about it?” he enquired, lifting his black brows. ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg" --- # She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what… ![“She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about it?” he enquired, lifting his black brows. “Didn’t you ask me to come?” The smile remained pinned to Lady Buxted’s lips, but she replied with more than a touch of acidity: “To be sure I did…” quote by Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg) > “She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about it?” he enquired, lifting his black brows. “Didn’t you ask me to come?” The smile remained pinned to Lady Buxted’s lips, but she replied with more than a touch of acidity: “To be sure I did, but so many days ago that I supposed you had gone out of town!” “Oh, no!” he said, returning her smile with one of great sweetness.” [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A playful exchange reveals how assumptions and delayed communication can turn a simple greeting into a mildly tense encounter, highlighting the importance of timing and expectation in social interactions. **In simple terms:** Misunderstanding caused by delayed response. Key Takeaway Timing shapes perception. Themes Social dynamics Miscommunication Expectation Tone Humor Mood Amused Wry Lighthearted Type Dialogue Narrative When to use this quote - Reuniting after long absence - Unexpected social encounter - Delayed invitation - Friendly banter Key Concepts Assumption Timing Politeness Irony Practical Applications - Improving interpersonal communication - Designing dialogue in narrative writing Questions to Reflect On - How might clearer expectations have altered the tone? - What does the smile reveal about underlying affection? A Different Perspective null ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Her smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/her-smile/) [Lifting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifting/) [Lips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lips/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) [Sweetness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sweetness/) ## Related quotes > [“Do you mean to tell me that Mr. Trevor read my letter?” demanded Lady Buxted indignantly. “Your secretary?” “I employ him to read my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/do-you-mean-to-tell-me-that-mr-trevor-read-my-letter-demanded-lady/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“All you have to do is tell me where the girl with the pointed ears is being held, and you walk free. She was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cedric-nye/all-you-have-to-do-is-tell-me-where-the-girl-with-the-pointed-ears-is/) [Cedric Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cedric-nye/) > [Tears aren't a girl's weapon. It's her smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gackt/tears-aren-t-a-girl-s-weapon-it-s-her-smile/) [Gackt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gackt/) > [Every day I hold my breath until I see her. Sometimes in class, sometimes in the hallway. I can't start breathing until I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-spinelli/every-day-i-hold-my-breath-until-i-see-her-sometimes-in-class/) [Jerry Spinelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-spinelli/) > [She had a sadness that was so deep, but it still could turn to light in a second,and when I saw her smile I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/she-had-a-sadness-that-was-so-deep-but-it-still-could-turn-to-light/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [A mother's love is like a tower, Rising far above the crowd, And her smile is like the sunshine, Breaking through a threatening cloud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-steiner-rice/a-mother-s-love-is-like-a-tower-rising-far-above-the-crowd-and-her/) [Helen Steiner Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-steiner-rice/) > [Because if he looked like he was unaffected by her smile, then she would not realize that, in actuality, he was in an utter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/because-if-he-looked-like-he-was-unaffected-by-her-smile-then-she/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Ruth hadn't talked to my sister since before my death, and then it was only to excuse herself in the hallway at school. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/ruth-hadn-t-talked-to-my-sister-since-before-my-death-and-then-it-was/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [And the look on her face as she opened the door Was like an old joke told by a friend. It'd taken ten more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapin/and-the-look-on-her-face-as-she-opened-the-door-was-like-an-old-joke/) [Harry Chapin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapin/) > [Neither smiles nor frowns, neither good intentions nor harsh words, are a substitute for strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/neither-smiles-nor-frowns-neither-good-intentions-nor-harsh-words-are/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [My mom smiled at me. Her smile kind of hugged me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/my-mom-smiled-at-me-her-smile-kind-of-hugged-me/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's as if, in the mother's eyes, her smile, her stroking touch, the child first reads the message:'You are there!'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/it-s-as-if-in-the-mother-s-eyes-her-smile-her-stroking-touch-the/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [It is how it has always been. We will accept the legacy of our ancestors,' Asha says, smiling, and in her smile I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/libba-bray/it-is-how-it-has-always-been-we-will-accept-the-legacy-of-our/) [Libba Bray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/libba-bray/) > [The element of chance in basic research is overrated. Chance is a lady who smiles only upon those few who know how to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-selye/the-element-of-chance-in-basic-research-is-overrated-chance-is-a-lady/) [Hans Selye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-selye/) > [Layla brought her arms around herself, no doubt because she was remembering the feel of another, stronger set. "I have wanted to, but he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-ward/layla-brought-her-arms-around-herself-no-doubt-because-she-was/) [J.R. Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-ward/) ## More by Georgette Heyer > [“Upon her butler’s announcing the arrival of Mr Ravenscar, Lady Mablethorpe, who had been dozing over a novel from the Circulating Library, sat up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/upon-her-butler-s-announcing-the-arrival-of-mr-ravenscar-lady/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“I may have said that I wanted to have an adventure," replied Miss Thane. "But I never said that I wanted to be murdered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/i-may-have-said-that-i-wanted-to-have-an-adventure-replied-miss-thane/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [Will you marry me, vile and abominable girl that you are? Yes, but, mind, it only to save my neck from being wrung!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/will-you-marry-me-vile-and-abominable-girl-that-you-are-yes-but-mind/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“Lady Winwood being denied, the morning caller inquired with some anxiety for Miss Winwood, or, in fact, for any of the young ladies.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/lady-winwood-being-denied-the-morning-caller-inquired-with-some/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [I have seen what comes of being patient," Amanda said with a boding look. "And I have no opinion of it." "What does come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/i-have-seen-what-comes-of-being-patient-amanda-said-with-a-boding/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“Goodbye!" "Oh, not goodbye!" he protested. "I mean to know you better, Miss Lanyon of Undershaw!" "To be sure, it does seem a pity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/goodbye-oh-not-goodbye-he-protested-i-mean-to-know-you-better-miss/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“he disclosed that he had been set upon by two Bedlamites, both of whom had jumped out from behind a bush, roaring at him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/he-disclosed-that-he-had-been-set-upon-by-two-bedlamites-both-of-whom/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [Randall laid his hand on Stella's, but only to remove it from his sleeve. "My precious, you really must have some regard for my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/randall-laid-his-hand-on-stella-s-but-only-to-remove-it-from-his/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“Nothing more likely,"said Hannasyde. "I've got to try and rattle him." "It's him that'll do the rattling,"said the Sergeant darkly. "he's the nearest thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/nothing-more-likely-said-hannasyde-i-ve-got-to-try-and-rattle-him-it/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“Yes, darling, that is quite a nice frock, but the hankerchief is not only the wrong shade of grey, but quite damnably tied. Let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/yes-darling-that-is-quite-a-nice-frock-but-the-hankerchief-is-not/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“The Viscount stepped into the room. "Came to see if you was dead," he said. "Laid Pom odds you weren't." Lethbridge passed his hand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/the-viscount-stepped-into-the-room-came-to-see-if-you-was-dead-he/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“If you imagine that I have the smallest desire to receive your hand as a reward for having performed a difficult task to your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/if-you-imagine-that-i-have-the-smallest-desire-to-receive-your-hand/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [ \[...\]my memory is reasonably good—unlike yours, dear sir!” “Mine is erratic,” he said imperturbably. “I remember only what interests me. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/my-memory-is-reasonably-good-unlike-yours-dear-sir-mine-is-erratic-he/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [Do you recall Fred Merriville?” She stared at him. “Fred Merriville? Pray, what has he to say to anything?” “The poor fellow has nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/do-you-recall-fred-merriville-she-stared-at-him-fred-merriville-pray/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) > [“One or two of the villagers have seen it, too, though not as clearly as he did. Old Buttermere said it was a white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/one-or-two-of-the-villagers-have-seen-it-too-though-not-as-clearly-as/) [Georgette Heyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) [Explore all 296 Georgette Heyer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/) ## More Ask me quotes > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [I'd always have grease in at least two places, in case the umpires would ask me to wipe one off. I never wanted to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gaylord-perry/i-d-always-have-grease-in-at-least-two-places-in-case-the-umpires/) [Gaylord Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gaylord-perry/) > [I don't wear a watch because I want my arms to weigh the same. So if somebody asks me what time it is, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-don-t-wear-a-watch-because-i-want-my-arms-to-weigh-the-same-so-if/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [I am a practicing Catholic, but my lineage is Jewish, so if someone asks me if I'm Jewish, I say yes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neve-campbell/i-am-a-practicing-catholic-but-my-lineage-is-jewish-so-if-someone/) [Neve Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neve-campbell/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) > [I am a conservative type of person, so sometimes when I'm chilling with myself, people always come ask me, 'What's wrong with you? What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-wonder/i-am-a-conservative-type-of-person-so-sometimes-when-i-m-chilling/) [Wayne Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-wonder/) > [I have no hesitation in saying that although the American woman never leaves her domestic sphere and is in some respects very dependent within…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-have-no-hesitation-in-saying-that-although-the-american-woman-never/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [My identity shifted when I got into # recovery . That's who I am now, and it actually gives me greater pleasure to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-clapton/my-identity-shifted-when-i-got-into-recovery-that-s-who-i-am-now-and/) [Eric Clapton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-clapton/) > [If you ask me to tell you anything about the nature of what lies beyond the phaneron… my answer is “How should I know?”……](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-gardner/if-you-ask-me-to-tell-you-anything-about-the-nature-of-what-lies/) [Martin Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-gardner/) > [When a young artist asks me a question, I want to do what I can to give them an answer if I have it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-tait/when-a-young-artist-asks-me-a-question-i-want-to-do-what-i-can-to/) [Michael Tait](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-tait/) > [I've never asked a girl out in my life, they have to ask me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/i-ve-never-asked-a-girl-out-in-my-life-they-have-to-ask-me/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [I would do almost anything Tina Fey asks me to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-pelosi/i-would-do-almost-anything-tina-fey-asks-me-to-do/) [Nancy Pelosi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-pelosi/) > [Space Jam is my favorite movie. Don't ask me why, it just is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/space-jam-is-my-favorite-movie-don-t-ask-me-why-it-just-is/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) > [If I had lost a leg, I would tell them, instead of a boy, no one would ever ask me if I was 'over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-edwards/if-i-had-lost-a-leg-i-would-tell-them-instead-of-a-boy-no-one-would/) [Elizabeth Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-edwards/) > [It is very hard to tell when I started to be a spiritual teacher. There was a time when occasionally somebody would come and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/it-is-very-hard-to-tell-when-i-started-to-be-a-spiritual-teacher/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) Browse all 1,282 Ask me quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about it?” he enquired, lifting his black brows. “Didn’t you ask me to come?” The smile remained pinned to Lady Buxted’s lips, but she replied with more than a touch of acidity: “To be sure I did, but so many days ago that I supposed you had gone out of town!” “Oh, no!” he said, returning her smile with one of great sweetness.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Georgette Heyer" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon-my-dear-what-a-delightful/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ask me" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon-my-dear-what-a-delightful/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cfa/georgette-heyer-1080_ask-me_she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon_72103.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“She stretched out her hand, saying, “Vernon! My dear, what a delightful surprise!” “What’s surprising about…” — Georgette Heyer", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Georgette Heyer", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georgette-heyer/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "She stretched out her hand, saying,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon-my-dear-what-a-delightful/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georgette-heyer/she-stretched-out-her-hand-saying-vernon-my-dear-what-a-delightful/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```