To keep something wild is far more difficult than to preserve it.

In old days the public didn't really mind much about accuracy, but nowadays readers take it upon themselves to write to authors on every possible occasion, pointing out flaws.

The whole thing was like a nine-month ocean voyage to which you never got acclimatized.

Until one looks back on one's own past one fails to realise what an extraordinary view of the world a child has.

I suppose without curiosity a man would be a tortoise. Very comfortable life, a tortoise has.

marriage is an extraordinary thing - and I doubt if any outsider - even a child of the marriage - has the right to judge.

You've a pretty good nerve," said Ratchett. "Will twenty thousand dollars tempt you?" It will not." If you're holding out for more, you won't get it. I know what a thing's worth to me." I, also M. Ratchett." What's wrong with my proposition?" Poirot rose. "If you will forgive me for being personal - I do not like your face, M. Ratchett," he said.