Something about this made Reynie uneasy. Had he done so badly? Was this meant to test his courage? He did as he was told, closing his eyes and bracing himself as best he could. "Why are you flinching?" the pencil woman asked. "I don't know. I thought maybe you were going to slap me." "Don't be ridiculous. I could slap you perfectly well with your eyes open. I'm only going to blindfold you.

They stared out their window at night enough to know where the darkest shadows lay, and it was to the darkest shadows they kept.

What is life without laughter?

I was always interested in the possibility maybe of finding my way into a big adventure.

I've only just arrived, Kate. It may surprise you to learn that you were my top priority.

You've read half the books in this house? This whole house?" "Well, approximately half." Sticky said. "To be more accurate, I suppose I've read more like" - his eyes went up as he calculated - "three sevenths? Yes, three sevenths." "Only three sevenths?" said Kate, pretending to look disappointed. "And here I was prepared to be impressed.

Don't thank me,' Mr. Curtain called as the door slid closed. 'Impress me!