Did I kill him?” I said. “No, miss,” said Robert. “Pity.

I should hate to be a regular girl with a sugar-plum voice. I should hate to have swan-like lashes, and a thick, sooty neck. I sound as though I’m joking, I know, but I should truly hate to be like Leanne, so charming and ordinary and stuffed with clichéd feelings. I’m glad I’m the ice maiden. Who wants to be crying over every stray dog? Not I. Scratch my surface and what do you see? More surface.

I don't mean to be ungrateful but if someone's out there answering prayers, mine's not at the top of the list

Our English monarchs are so unimaginative,” said Eldric. “They execute people in such tediously conventional ways.

People think me a sort of Florence Nightingale, but I have no heroic qualities. I simply don’t feel very much.

Poor Petey. I’d like to say I could almost feel a tender spot for poor Petey, but the truth is I’d rather feel at the tender spot on his head and give it a poke.

Blast Cecil!” said Eldric. “You have my permission,” I said.