It was simply that, in admiring the house, I wanted to possess a piece of it — or rather, as if the admiration itself, which I suspected a more ordinary child would not have felt, entitled me to it.
-- Narrator (Chapter 1)

Importance: Even as a child, Faraday was so impressed by Hundreds Hall that he wanted to take a piece of it home with him as a keepsake so he pried a plaster acorn from a decorative molding. The obsession carried over into Faraday’s adult life as he made plans to marry Caroline and live in the house with her.

But the worst of rationing is, it has quite killed hospitality. I do think that a pity.
-- Mrs. Ayers (Chapter 1)

Importance: Mrs. Ayers shares with Faraday when he has tea with the family the first time that she believes the worst part of rationing is that it keeps people from showing hospitality. She says that she wishes...