vilakins | Fifth sentence meme and the Marlows

From kerravonsen: Grab the nearest book, open to page 123, find the fifth sentence. Then post the next three sentences.

From Autumn Term by Antonia Forest:

She said hopefully: "I thought, you see, that you might be Falsely Accused and that I, as the Headmistress's Niece, could Exert my Influence to Clear Your Name."
Despite herself, Nicola grinned.
"Well, I'm not and you can't and I don't want to talk about it."

I was named after Nicola Marlow, and when I was about 10 or 11 (younger than the twins anyway) I read Autumn Term and loved my namesake and the eccentric Tim who is quoted here, and even wanted to change my last name to match Nicola's. I recently decided it was time to reread the Marlow--and Peter Wimsey--books because I've seen them mentioned on LJ and good books are always worth going back to.

So I borrowed Autumn Term this week and devoured it, realising just what a clever and beautiful book it is with its complex, well-drawn and understood characters. I even found words I picked up and used for a while (Nicola's "trimmensely" and "scudding" for running). I am saddened that The Marlows and the Traitor isn't in the library system, but I do remember that one quite well too: the fog, Nicola going widdershins round the lighthouse, Lawrie injured in hospital with a huge bandage on her head... I shall however work my way with delight through the ones I can borrow.