Anarchists are not intellectual to put it mildly

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

“He would. Dad holds the championship for making blunders. If there’s a thing that’s better left unsaid you can trust him to say it.”

Ah we’ve all got someone like that in our lives.

“I can’t live in a palace.”

“Can’t come down to that after your Blue Castle.”

HOW do they go through shit together and just start bantering like that. Their marriage nearly fell apart. Dear God they’re both hopeless and I love them and I want to squish their heads together like a pair of unruly kittens.

“We’ll climb mountains - hunt for treasures in the bazaars of Samarcand - search out the magic of east and west - run hand in hand to the rim of the world. I want to show you it all - see it again through your eyes. Girl, there are a million things I want to show you - do with you - say to you. It will take a lifetime.”

I think this is the most wholesome, heart-melting proposal-ish thing I’ve ever read, actually.

“Will you promise me one thing?” asked Valancy solemnly.

“Anything,” said Barney recklessly.

I’m giggling at the way I’m picturing him saying that, like, immediately, before she’s even finished talking.

“Only one thing. You are never, under any circumstances or under any provocation, to cast it up to me that I asked you to marry me.”

if you cook a penguin egg, the egg white just kind of. stays transparent.

this staged affection, a mix of theatricality and intimacy, the couple holding still for a couple of moments and now immortalised in a very set sequence of embraces and kisses. there is a charm to it even when I can’t tell whether this was a genuine couple portait or just actors hired by the photographer.

let us start with the kiss on the cheek (eyes averted! oh the pose! these were taken between 1910-1940)

or the nearly opposite energy (how daring!) of the kiss or caress with direct eye contact (1910-1930)

and then the innocent – yet so flirty – classic of the park encounter! (1890-1920)

and oh, I am not done, look at this – the adoration of the woman! look at this expression, this pose, this decorum! (1910-1940)

and then some of my favourites from the more playful or direct category, enjoy (1910-1930):