The collection / 43 fragments

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01c. 1964 AD

My feelings are a fact, not a personal delusion. They are valid for me. What business have you got trying to tell me how I ought to feel?

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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02c. 1964 AD

I would be the first to admit that my maternal instincts are not well developed--though in defense I must add that the raising of Ramses would have discouraged any woman.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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03c. 1964 AD

love has a very dulling effect on the brain

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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04c. 1964 AD

Nefret had always had an uncanny ability to read his thoughts. 'Did she cry?' she asked sweetly. 'And then you kissed her? You shouldn't have done that. I'm sure you meant well, but kissing someone out of pity is always a mistake.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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05c. 1964 AD

I have learned that particularly clever ideas do not always stand up under close scrutiny.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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06c. 1964 AD

He hesitated for a moment. Then he said softly, "I love you, Mother." He took my hand and kissed it, and folded my fingers round the stem of the rose. He had stripped it of its thorns.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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07c. 1964 AD

...Peabody had better retire to her bed; she is clearly in need of recuperative sleep, she has not made a sarcastic remark for fully ten minutes.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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08c. 1964 AD

Why is a man with a knife after your blood? Who sent him? I would like to write the fellow a letter of thanks!

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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09c. 1964 AD

Don't sound so surprised. I have sensible moments, you know.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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10c. 1964 AD

If she hasn't learned to appreciate my sterling character and spectacular good looks by this time, it's not likely she will.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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11c. 1964 AD

As Ramses did the same for his mother, he saw that her eyes were fixed on him. She had been unusually silent. She had not needed his father's tactless comment to understand the full implications of Farouk's death. As he met her unblinking gaze he was reminded of one of Nefret's more vivid descriptions. 'When she's angry, her eyes look like polished steel balls.' That's done it, he thought. She's made up her mind to get David and me out of this if she has to take on every German and Turkish agent in the Middle East.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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12c. 1964 AD

The way to get on with a cat is to treat it as an equal - or even better, as the superior it knows itself to be.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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13c. 1964 AD

In the silence I heard Bastet, who had retreated under the bed, carrying on a mumbling, profane monologue. (If you ask how I knew it was profane, I presume you have never owned a cat.)

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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14c. 1964 AD

The cat Horus shot out from under the table and headed for the door, his ears flattened and his tail straight out. There he encountered Abdullah, who had been waiting for us on the verandah and who had, I supposed, been alarmed by Emerson's shouts and hurried to discover what disaster had prompted them. The cat got entangled in Abdullah's skirts and a brief interval of staggering (by Abdullah), scratching (by Horus) and swearing (by both parties) ensued before Horus freed himself and departed.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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15c. 1964 AD

Sekhmet crawled onto Ramses's lap and began to purr. 'The creature oozes like a furry slug,' said Ramses, eyeing it without favor.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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16c. 1964 AD

The cat required far less attendance than a human child, which is one of the reasons why spinster ladies prefer felines to babies.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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17c. 1964 AD

The approval of a cat cannot but flatter the recipient.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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18c. 1964 AD

They will have difficulties to overcome,' I admitted. 'Including the differences in their religions. However, marriage is always a chancy business, Katherine. I have known individuals who appeared perfectly suited, by family background, religion, and nationality, who were thoroughly miserable.' 'So you believe in taking the chance?' 'Certainly. What is life without some risk?

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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19c. 1964 AD

Men believe women are hopeless gossips, but women know men are. The poor creatures are worse than women in some ways, because they cannot admit to themselves that they are gossiping, or doubt the discretion of the individuals in whom they confide. 'Strictly in confidence, old boy, just between you and me...'.

Elizabeth Peters / quote

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