We had more church after supper, with a long sermon from Reverend Beelson. He talked about wars and earthquakes and floods as signs that the End was … - Jane Yolen

We are all sleeping princesses some time. But it is better to be fully awake, don't you think?"..."Americans do not want to be awake?"
"Oh," Becca said, "we like the truth all right. When it's tidy."
"Truth is never tidy. Only fairy tales.

It is not crazy to want to know the past. It is only crazy to live there, like so many of the aristocracy.

Overhead the swallows dipped down to catch bugs rising from the ground. Then they soared back up beyond the barracks. Hannah watched them for a moment, scarcely breathing. It was as if all nature ignored what went on in the camp. There were brilliant sunsets and soft breezes. Around the commandant’s house, bright flowers were teased by the wind. Once she’d seen a fox cross the meadow to disappear into the forest.