Quotes from work

The Mysterious Benedict Society

“Is this what family is like: the feeling that everyone’s connected, that with one piece missing, the whole thing’s broken?”

“Everything is as it should be.”

“Reynie's fce fell. 'It's not funny, Kate.'
For a moment - a fleeting moment - Kate looked desperately sad. 'Well, of course it's not funny, Reynie Muldoon. But what do you want me to do? Cry?”

“One problem with being a leader, is that even among your friends you are alone, for it is you -- and you alone -- to whom the others look for final guidance.”

“Every great thinker keeps a journal, you know.”

“Oh, here’s a clever one. Do you remember this question from the first test? It reads, ‘What’s wrong with this statement?’ And do you know what Constance wrote in reply? She wrote, ‘What’s wrong with you?”

“Daddy, will you take me to the mill, again?”

“Poor Kate,” said Constance, “she’s lost her marbles.”

“She announced her age right away, for children consider their ages every bit as important as their names.”

“Was it worse for him, Reynie wondered, to have felt loved and then rejected? Or was it worse to have always felt alone?”

“I can't say for sure, because I have no experience, but -- well, is this what family is like? The feeling that everyone's connected, that with one piece missing the whole thing's broken?”

“The missing aren't missing, they're only departed,
All minds keep all thoughts - so like gold - closely guarded”

“And please don't call me that."

I didn't call you 'that', I called you George Washington.”

“Grow the lawn and mow the lawn
always keep the TV on,
brush your teeth and kill the germs,
poison apples, poison worms.”

“Milligan! Come and tell us why you're so dreadfully glum!" ~ Constance, The Mysterious Benedict Society”

“What is life without laughter?”

“Children are capable of such open rudeness.”

“Rules and school are tools for fools! I don't give two mules for rules.”

“Remember the White Knight.”