...Nefret said with a gusty sigh, 'Well, that's done it. We may as well join in, Ramses, family arguments are the favorite form of amusement here and this looks like being a loud one.

That's maturity-when you realize that you've finally arrived at a state of ignorance as profound as your parents.

I knew the answer, and--of course--so did Ramses. He has superb breath control and always gets in ahead of me.

It was hate at first sight, clean, pure and strong as grain alcohol.

I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be the respected patriarch of an ordinary English family." "Very boring, Emerson.

Husbands do not care to be contradicted. Indeed, I do not know anyone who does.

Nefret had always had an uncanny ability to read his thoughts. 'Did she cry?' she asked sweetly. 'And then you kissed her? You shouldn't have done that. I'm sure you meant well, but kissing someone out of pity is always a mistake.