“And the light kept darkness away until the Morning Star came and found it burning”

“Ernest Ransom: These are not the best if times...as your editorials remind us A.A. Hayes : Why not get a Democrat back in there? Ernest Ransom: These are not the worst of times eithers Dingley Falls”

“So entangled are we in our own designs that the concurrent and often conflicting plots of our families, friends, and enemies may come to us as surprises suddenly unraveled or traps suddenly sprung... If no one can see into another's heart, it is probably because no one comes close enough, or stays long enough, or listens loud enough over the thump of their own, to see and hear.”

“My solicitous wife has kept me going despite the ravages of time. I trust she is not weary in well doing nor tired of being thanked.”

“The boldness of his mind was sheathed in a scabbard of politeness.”

“Melody Malone is the owner and sole employee of the Angel Detective Agency in Manhattan. She is possibly married but lives alone usually, and is older than both her parents. Sometimes. Why not visit her website? Ah – probably because the internet hasn’t been invented yet. Sorry, Sweetie.”

“Let me through – I’m a doctor.’ My heart beat a little faster, and I lingered just long enough to be sure he’d used the indefinite article. But the man was short and bald and rather ugly – not at all like any Doctor I’d consult. I hope. If ‘consult’ is the right word.”