It's a sad moment, really, when parents first become a bit frightened of their children.

It's a sad moment, really, when parents first become a bit frightened of their children.

My mother loved children--she would have given anything if I had been one.

My mother loved children--she would have given anything if I had been one.

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

There is always one moment in childhood when the door opens and lets the future in.

Let the child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.

Let the child's first lesson be obedience, and the second will be what thou wilt.

Boys will be boys. And even that wouldn't matter if only we could prevent girls from being girls.

Boys will be boys. And even that wouldn't matter if only we could prevent girls from being girls.

We've had bad luck with our kids--they've all grown up.

We've had bad luck with our kids--they've all grown up.

I'm old enough to know better, but still too young to care.

I'm old enough to know better, but still too young to care.

They mustn't know my despair, I can't let them see the wounds which they have caused, I couldn't bear their read more

They mustn't know my despair, I can't let them see the wounds which they have caused, I couldn't bear their sympathy and their kind-hearted jokes, it would only make me want to scream all the more. If I talk, everyone thinks I'm showing off; when I'm silent they think I'm ridiculous; rude if I answer, sly if I get a good idea, lazy if I'm tired, selfish if I eat a mouthful more than I should, stupid, cowardly, crafty, etc. etc.

Childhood sometimes does pay a second visit to man; youth never.

Childhood sometimes does pay a second visit to man; youth never.