Green fingers was the country name for time, patience and love working together.

Something nasty in the woodshed.

Miller had gone off on some affairs of his own, as he always did when the routine at Bryant’s was interrupted, for he was a selfish dog who hated any break in his habits. His departure seemed the last straw

Miller had gone off on some affairs of his own, as he always did when the routine at Bryant’s was interrupted, for he was a selfish dog who hated any break in his habits.

... on the whole I thought I liked having everything very tidy and calm all around me, and not being bothered to do things, and laughing at the kind of joke other people didn't think at all funny, and going for country walks, and not being asked to express opinions about things (like love, and isn't so-and-so peculiar?)

Bookshelves stood against the four walls. They were shapely and well made, but were all second-hand; Hetty had picked them up on visits to Chesterbourne. She liked her shelves to have personality, as well as the books on them, and thought it would have been simpler to order shelves to be fitted around the room, or to buy those bookcases that grow with the growth of their library, she had stood firm against the amusement of Victor and the irritation of her aunt, and had the shelves she wanted.