“I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be the respected patriarch of an ordinary English family.""Very boring, Emerson.”

“The only people who are not in awe of Emerson's powerful voice and well-nigh superhuman strength are the members of his own family. He is aware of this, and often complains about it; so from time to time I like to put on a little show of being intimidated. 'Proceed, my dear,' I said apologetically.”

“She is fiercely protective of all those she loves, Emerson. She would take your part just as vigorously if someone were unkind to you.''D'you think so?' Emerson considered this idea.'I refuse to pick a quarrel with you so that Sennia can defend you. She'll get over it; just be polite to Gargery.''Damnation,' said Emerson”

“You are softening toward the young rascal because he is ill, and because he says he likes cats.""It is an engaging quality, Emerson.""That depends," said Emerson darkly, "on how he likes them.”

“I had refused Emerson's well-meant offers of assistance, knowing his efforts would be confined to moving the furniture to the wrong places and demanding how much longer the process would take.”

“If you take a man by surprise, and behave with sufficient arrogance, he will generally do what you ask.-Emerson”

“Emerson abandoned irony for blunt and passionate speech.'This war has been a monumental blunder from the start! Britain is not solely responsible, but by God, gentlemen, she must share the blame, and she will pay a heavy price: the best of her young men, future scholars and scientists and statesmen, and ordinary, decent men who might have led ordinary, decent lives. And how will it end, when you tire of your game of soldiers? A few boundaries redrawn, a few transitory political advantages, in exchange for an entire continent laid waste and a million graves! What I do may be of minor importance in the total accumulation of knowledge, but at least I don't have blood on my hands.”