Funny / Wives and Daughters

• Molly's step-mother refuses to let Molly go visit a dying family friend. She's determined that Molly must accompany her to one social gathering because an engagement is an engagement. She doesn't know the people yet and doesn't want to go alone. Squire Hamley replies her with this gem:
  Mrs Gibson: I am so sorry: my foolish shyness is in fault, I believe; but still you must acknowledge that an engagement is an engagement.
  Squire Hamley: Did I ever say an engagement was an elephant, madam?
• Squire Hamley has the best lines. When he reflects on his first encounter with Mrs Gibson, these are his words to the good Doctor:
  "I say, Gibson, we're old friends, and you're a fool if you take anything I say as an offence. Madam your wife and I didn't hit it off the only time I ever saw her. I won't say she was silly, but I think one of us was silly, and it wasn't me."
• After Dr. Gibson hears the rumours about Molly, he has a few things to say about the gossips responsible.
  Dr. Gibson: If I had the doctoring of those gossips, I'd make their tongues lie still awhile!
• The very last lines of the book, after Mrs Gibson learns her daughter, on her way back from her honeymoon, has bought her some presents.
  Mrs Gibson: And now cover me up, and let me go to sleep, and dream about dear Cynthia and my new shawl!

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