Monstrous Regiment (Discworld, #31; Industrial Revolution, #3)

by Terry Pratchett

It must have been the socks talking.

An easy joke, but a good one.

“The captain looks bad,” he said. “What did he try to do to poor little you?” “Patronize me,” said Polly, glaring at Maladict. “Ah,” said the vampire.

:)

And then you’d look up from those depths into the only smile you ever saw.

A powerful thought.

“Oh, Sarge! Today? There are . . . men in high places who’ll give you anything you ask for, right now. You know that. Especially if it meant they’d see the back of you. You never put the bite on them for anything much. If I was you, Sarge, I’d cash in a few favors while you can. That’s the Ins-and-Outs, Sarge. Take the cheese while it’s there, ’cos kissin’ don’t last.”

Damn right.

Oh, and the Girls’ Working School had burned down, and on the same day two slim masked figures had robbed a bank. Polly had grinned when she heard that, and hoped that Tonker and Lofty would one day find a way to eat chocolates in a great big room where the world was a different place.

This book is particularly good at callbacks, though of course the last line is the best.

“You are my little lads—or not, as the case may be—and I will look after . . . you.” And the new day was a great big fish.

For my money, Pratchett's most satisfying ending. The fact that it's completely meaningless if you haven't read the book is a little extra spice.