Gaudy Night

by Dorothy L. Sayers

‘In any case,’ pursued Mr. Rogers, ‘debagging is otiose and out of date. The modern craze for exposing unaesthetic legs needs no encouragement from me. I shall not be a party to it.

She rather enjoyed writing this one. On reading it over, she was disappointed to find that it had an air of officious impertinence. She tore it up.

How fleeting are all human passions compared with the massive continuity of ducks

The great advantage about telling the truth is that nobody ever believes it--that

Isabella? is that you?

She collected the High Table with her eye, rose, and made a stately exit.

I do not want to be run in by the local bobby for assault; but if you will kindly step aside with me into this convenient field, it will give me great pleasure to strangle you scientifically in several positions.’

To subdue one’s self to one’s own end might be dangerous, but to subdue one’s self to other people’s ends was dust and ashes.