Screen Two (TV Series)

Persuasion (1995)

David Collings: Mr. Shepherd

Quotes 

• Mr. Shepherd : Women without children are the very best preservers of furniture.

• Sir Walter Elliot : Who is this - Admiral Croft?

  Mr. Shepherd : I met with him at the quarter sessions in Taunton. He's a native of Somersetshire who acquired a fortune in the war and wishes to return here.

  Sir Walter Elliot : Yes, but who is he?

  Anne Elliot : He is rear admiral of the white. He was in the Trafalgar action and has been in the East Indies since. He has been stationed there, I believe, several years.

  Sir Walter Elliot : Then, I take it, his face has both the color and texture of this macaroon.

• Mr. Shepherd : He is a married man, but without children. A house is never taken care of, Sir Walter, without a lady. And a lady with no children is the very best preserver of furniture in the world.

• Mr. Shepherd : In Bath, I think, you may be important at comparatively little expense.