“You see, Flavia, silence is sometimes the most costly of commodities.”

“...silence is sometimes the most costly of commodities.”

“You are unreliable, Flavia,' he said. 'Utterly unreliable.'Of course I was! It was one of the things I loved most about myself.”

“I was me, I was Flavia. And I loved myself, even if no one else did.”

“There's a lot to be said for being alone. But you and I know, don't we, Flavia, that being alone and being lonely are not at all the same thing?”

“AND THE PERSON OUTSIDE TO WHOM YOU WERE speaking?” Inspector Hewitt asked. "Dogger," I said. "First name?" "Flavia," I said. I couldn't help myself.”

“Good morning, Flavia," she said at last, but her acknowledgment of my presence came too late for my liking.”