"and she aired them herself and blued them when they came home from the wash and ironed them and she had a brickbat to keep the iron on because she wouldn't trust those washerwomen as far as she'd see them scorching the things." (U13.176)
"She was wearing the blue for luck, hoping against hope, her own colour and lucky too for a bride to have a bit of blue somewhere on her because the green she wore that day week brought grief" (U13. 179)
"because his father brought him in to study for the intermediate exhibition and because she thought perhaps he might be out because when she was dressing that morning she nearly slipped up the old pair on her inside out" (U13.182)
"and that was for luck and lovers' meetings if you put those things on inside out or if they got untied that he was thinking about you so long as it wasn't of a Friday." (U13.185)
"And yet-- and yet! That strained look on her face! A gnawing sorrow is there all the time. Her very soul is in her eyes and she would give worlds to be in the privacy of her own familiar chamber where, giving way to tears, she could have a good cry and relieve her pentup feelings. Though not too much because she knew how to cry nicely before the mirror. You are lovely, Gerty, it said." (U13.188)
"The paly light of evening falls upon a face infinitely sad and wistful. Gerty MacDowell yearns in vain." (U13.193)
"Yes, she had known from the very first that her daydream of a marriage has been arranged and the weddingbells ringing for Mrs Reggy Wylie T.C.D. (because the one who married the elder brother would be Mrs Wylie)" (U13.194)
"and in the fashionable intelligence Mrs Gertrude Wylie was wearing a sumptuous confection of grey trimmed with expensive blue fox was not to be. He was too young to understand. He would not believe in love, a woman's birthright." (U13.197)
"The night of the party long ago in Stoers' (he was still in short trousers) when they were alone and he stole an arm round her waist she went white to the very lips. He called her little one in a strangely husky voice" (U13.200)
"and snatched a half kiss (the first!) but it was only the end of her nose and then he hastened from the room with a remark about refreshments. Impetuous fellow!" (U13.200)
"Strength of character had never been Reggy Wylie's strong point and he who would woo and win Gerty MacDowell must be a man among men. But waiting, always waiting to be asked" (U13.206)
"and it was leap year too and would soon be over." (U13.208)
Leap Year is the traditional time when women can propose marriage (or ask a man out on a date). It is believed the tradition started in 5c. Ireland by St Bridget, with the approval of St Patrick, because women often waited so long for a man to propose. It is said (but disputed), that Queen Margaret of Scotland passed a law in 1288 that imposed a fine on any man declining such a proposal. The fine ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown. Because men felt thus put at great risk, the tradition was in some places restricted to female proposals on the specific date of February 29.
Leap Year is the traditional time when women can propose marriage (or ask a man out on a date). It is believed the tradition started in 5c. Ireland by St Bridget, with the approval of St Patrick, because women often waited so long for a man to propose. It is said (but disputed), that Queen Margaret of Scotland passed a law in 1288 that imposed a fine on any man declining such a proposal. The fine ranged from a kiss to £1 to a silk gown. Because men felt thus put at great risk, the tradition was in some places restricted to female proposals on the specific date of February 29.
"No prince charming is her beau ideal to lay a rare and wondrous love at her feet" (13.209)
"but rather a manly man with a strong quiet face who had not found his ideal, perhaps his hair slightly flecked with grey, and who would understand," (U13.210)
"take her in his sheltering arms, strain her to him in all the strength of his deep passionate nature and comfort her with a long long kiss. It would be like heaven." (U13.212)
"For such a one she yearns this balmy summer eve. With all the heart of her she longs to be his only, his affianced bride for riches for poor, in sickness in health, till death us two part, from this to this day forward." (U13.214)