Do not read the sad parts of a classic novel late at night… 
Stayed up way to late, struggling to see the words in the light of my tiny Avon purse shaped lamp, so as not to bother my husband. Made the mistake of peeking at the next chapter in ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles’ as my man turned off his lamp for the night and then I couldn’t go to sleep without finding out the heart wrenching result of her confessing her past to her new husband…
This note to self is particularly relevant considering the novel. You shouldn’t read about ‘Tess’ at all after dark… not if you can get as easily emotional after dark as I can…
Quote from Phase the Fifth, The Woman Pays; ‘Tess of the D’Urbervilles‘
IF YOU DO you may cry really hard, tears and all… then you may shut the book with a determined thud, as if to express your frustration to the author, hoping the thud will vibrate through time and thud Thomas Hardy up side the head, then you may dwell on all things sad that come to mind till you can’t sleep…
Thank the Lord for a husband in such a crisis as this! A hug and the assurance of his presence was comfort enough for me to put aside ‘Tess’ and her bitter story for the night… Though sound asleep and oblivious to my situation his very existence was romantic in such a moment!
Timing is everything with a good classic novel… no worries, it is worth the read so I will pick it up again with my afternoon tea. During the little ones nap time I will rock in my favorite chair and sit in the sun while I read, for the sun will be there as emotional support!
TTFN
oh dear Becky, that part of the story that you shared with us is so very sad, and so true! The night does do that! I hope that the sun is as much comfort to you tomorrow as Garnet’s hug was in the night.