He picked up the skull and knocked an onion ring out of its eye socket. "I see Sophie has been busy again. Couldn't you have restrained her, my friend?" The skull yattered its teeth at him. Howl put it down rather hastily.
Diana Wynne JonesSophie did not care to think how Howl might react if Fanny woke him by stabbing him with her parasol.
Diana Wynne JonesHappiness isn't a thing. You can't go out and get it like a cup of tea. It's the way you feel about things.
Diana Wynne JonesSorry, I've had enough of running away, Sophie. Now I've got something I want to protect. It's you.
Diana Wynne JonesSlender Youth. A tour companion who may be either a lost prince or a girl/princess in disguise. In the latter case it is tactful to pretend you think she is a boy. She/he will be ignorant, hasty and shy, and will need hauling out of trouble quite a lot. But she/he will grow up in the course of the Tour. In fact she/he will be the only Companion who will change in any way. Quite often, she/he will soon exhibit a very useful talent for magic and end up by hauling everyone else out of trouble. But this will not be until midway through your second brochure.
Diana Wynne Jones