Shirley Jackson

No live organism can continue for long to exist sanely under conditions of absolute reality;

Hill House, not sane, stood by itself against its hills, holding darkness within

silence lay steadily against the wood and stone of Hill House, and whatever walked there, walked alone.

Peace, Eleanor thought concretely; what I want in all this world is peace, a quiet spot to lie and think, a quiet spot up among the flowers where I can dream and tell myself sweet stories

don’t understand.” Theodora threw down her pencil in exasperation. “Do you always go where you’re not wanted?”
Eleanor smiled placidly. “I’ve never been wanted anywhere,” she said

It was my fault my mother died,” Eleanor said. “She knocked on the wall and called me and called me and I never woke up. I ought to have brought her the medicine; I always did before. But this time she called me and I never woke up.”

was my fault my mother died,” Eleanor said. “She knocked on the wall and called me and called me and I never woke up. I ought to have brought her the medicine; I always did before. But this time she called me and I never woke up.”

of course no matter when it happened it was going to be my fault.”

I have let more time go by.

Our house was a castle, turreted and open to the sky.