Cats were often familiars to workers of magic because to anyone used to wrestling with self-willed, wayward, devious magic--which was what all magic was--it was rather soothing to have all the same qualities wrapped up in a small, furry, generally attractive bundle that...might, if it were in a good mood, sit on your knee and purr. Magic never sat on anybody's knee and purred.

If you wish, I shall go personally to your City and knock together the heads of Perlith and Galooney.

He will apologize, or I'll give him a lesson in swordplay he will not like at all.

I wondered what you'd have on the side with a plate of Deep Fried Anxiety. Pickles? Coleslaw? Potato-strychnine mash?

I get a little cranky with the whole business about kids not having attention spans. This reminds me of the usual business of thinking that the next generation is hopeless. Every generation has said that about every younger generation.

Tiny fists can hurt quite a lot when they hit you in the face.

Sometimes it is better not to know. Sometimes when you do know you just fold up.