What were they thinking?

These renowned authors wrote some interesting stuff...

Jane Austen
Such was Catherine Morland at ten. At fifteen appearances were mending; she began to cut her hair and long for balls...
from Northanger Abbey

Charles Dickens
No public business of any kind could possibly be done at any time, without the acquiescence of the Circumlocution Office. Its finger was in the largest public pie, and in the smallest public tart.
from Little Dorrit
After having given vent to this beautiful reflection, Mr Pickwick proceeded to put himself into his clothes; and his clothes into his portmanteau.
from Pickwick Papers

Henry James
Next after that slow-coming, slow-going smile of her lover, it was the rusty complexion of his patrimonial marbles that she most prized.
from The Last of the Valerii