Daily Pym

‘There you are!’ she called out in a ringing tone. ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere. You went out without your scarf and you know how treacherous these Italian nights are.’ She was brandishing in her hand what looked like a hand-knitted muffler in two shades of ecclesiastical purple.

— An Unsuitable Attachment, chapter fifteen

‘I wonder if there is a shortage of priests in Latin America?’ he asked, turning suddenly to Dulcie.

‘I’m afraid I don’t know,’ she faltered. It wasn’t the kind of thing one would be likely to know, she felt. ‘One always imagines that these Latin countries are swarming with priests,’ she added.

— No Fond Return of Love, chapter fifteen

‘But he’s a celibate, of course.’ Here her tone took on a sterner, more vigorous note. ‘And anyone can see that. It sticks out a mile.’

Dulcie caught Viola’s eye and she wanted to laugh, though one could see what she meant. Celibacy so often did stick out a mile, and not only among the clergy.

— No Fond Return of Love, chapter fifteen

‘No, a single curate is in many ways more suitable,’ said Belinda thoughtfully. ‘More in the tradition, if you see what I mean. And then of course there’s the celibacy of the clergy isn’t there?’ she added quickly.

‘Is there?’ said Edith scornfully. ‘I thought St. Paul said it was better to marry than burn.’

‘Well, it is hardly a question of that,’ said Belinda in a confused way. ‘I mean, of burning. One would hardly expect it to be.’

— Some Tame Gazelle, chapter eight