The worst surroundings in the world can be tolerated if the people in them are interesting and kind.

There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you, and there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.

It looked exhausting and pointless, two things that should be avoided at all costs

It is not always the job of people shouting outside impressive buildings to solve problems. It is often the job of the people inside, who have paper, pens, desks, and an impressive view.

Normally it is not polite to go into somebody’s room without knocking, but you can make an exception if the person is dead, or pretending to be dead.

A mystery is solved with a story.

To stutter through it with you or even stop stuttering and say nothing, was so lucky and soft, better talk than mile-a-minute with anyone. After a few minutes we’d stop rattling, we’d adjust, we’d settle in, and the conversation would speed into the night.