'Ah, Morton-Sims,' said the captain deferentially, 'would you care to bat at number three?'

One of the many stories told about him referred to his teenage years on the ground staff at Lord's. Occasionally these youngsters would be included in MCC out-matches against schools and clubs. In his first match, smartly dressed in blazer and tie, he was asked his name by the captain. 'Sims,' he said; 'Jim Sims.' 'OK Sims,' said the captain, 'you can bat at number ten.' Next match, he again turned up early, impeccably dressed. The captain asked him his name. 'Morton-Sims, sir; James Morton-Sims.' 'Ah, Morton-Sims,' said the captain deferentially, 'would you care to bat at number three?'

M. Brearley, On cricket (2018), 13

It made me feel older than grandchildren would to see my daughter touch a man - a boy - this way

Judith moved ahead and touched Don's arm. I knew that touch - an apology, an anxious reassurance. You touch a man that way to remind him that you are grateful, that you realize he is doing for your sake something that bores him or slightly endangers his dignity. It made me feel older than grandchildren would to see my daughter touch a man - a boy - this way.

A. Munro, 'The moons of Jupiter', The moons of Jupiter (1984), 223

She's very noticeably a Christian don't you think? I'm amazed how mean she makes me feel

"Life would be grand if it weren't for the people," said Vera moodily. "That sounds like a quotation, but I think I just made it up. The problem is that Kimberley is a Christian. Well, that's fine. We could use a Christian or two. For that matter, I am not un-Christian. But she's very noticeably a Christian don't you think? I'm amazed how mean she makes me feel."

A. Munro, 'Labor day dinner', The moons of Jupiter (1984), 144

I like this because it's so deliciously double-edged from a woman about her prospective daughter in law. Is it Kimberley's behaviour that shames the narrator. Or is Kimberley irritatingly religious? I think it's also pretty much on point for dating, capturing that still ambiguous point about the moral position of religion a generation ago.