From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs Basil E. Frankweiler

by E.L. Konigsburg

The fact that her allowance was so small that it took her more than three weeks of skipping hot fudge sundaes to save enough for train fare was another example of injustice.

Just wait until you have the privilege of paying on student loans

“I’ve picked you to accompany me on the greatest adventure of our mutual lives,” Claudia repeated.

(Flattery is as important a machine as the lever, isn’t it, Saxonberg? Give it a proper place to rest, and it can move the world.)

“Make it complicated, Claude. I like complications.”

Claudia thought that old Jamie would end up being a business tycoon someday. Or at least a tax attorney like their grandfather.

Tax attorneys aren't that bad.

she was convinced that she would develop a medium-serious skin disease within five minutes after she got off the bus.

I’ll suffer and never, never let him know about it. But he’ll regret it when I simply collapse from exhaustion. I’ll collapse quietly.

Who do you think you are? Daniel Boone? I’ll bet no one’s used a compass in Manhattan since Henry Hudson.”

“You know, Jamie, for a brother and a cheapskate, you’re not too bad.”

If you think of doing something in New York City, you can be certain that at least two thousand other people have that same thought.

And I didn’t run away to come home the same.”

“There’s something nice and safe about having money.”

Some people spend all their time on a vacation taking pictures so that when they get home they can show their friends evidence that they had a good time. They don’t pause to let the vacation enter inside of them and take that home.”