Michael’s Reviews > The Seven Dials Mystery > Status Update

"You ought to have told him what you thought of him." "Unfortunately modern civilisation rules that out," said Lord Caterham regretfully. "In the Stone Age now - but, dear me, I suppose even then I shouldn't be able to do it - being a small man."

"It's a great comfort for him having Mr. Bateman. Such an earnest young man - and so conscientious." "Marvellously conscientious," agreed Jimmy. "Oswald thinks a lot of Mr. Bateman's judgment. He says that Mr. Bateman is always right." "That was one of his worst characteristics years ago," said Jimmy feelingly. Lady Coote looked slightly puzzled.

"I'm not. I'm what's called a thoroughly nice girl." "Only to those who don't know you - who are taken in by your delusive appearance of meekness and decorum." "I like your long words." "All out of crossword puzzles."

A look of intense relief passed over Bill's face. A fatuous look settled down there instead - a look which made Bundle earnestly long to kick him.

"Shut up, you damned fool," said Jimmy. "Haven't you got any tact?" "Of course I've got tact," said Bill. "I'm a budding diplomatist. All diplomatists have tact." "Ah!" said Jimmy. "You must be still in what they call the larval stage."

"Nothing doing. You go to bed and sleep." "Oh!" said Bundle. "That's not very exciting." "You never know," said Jimmy kindly. "You may be murdered in your sleep whilst Bill and I escape scot-free."

"Nonsense," said Lady Caterham. "I knew George Lomax when he was so high." She indicated a quite impossible height.

". . . I never have thought much of the motto 'Safety First.' In my opinion half the people who spend their lives avoiding being run over by buses had much better be run over and put safely out of the way. They're no good."

When I finish this one, I intend to read the previous book in this short series ("The Secret of Chimneys") featuring Superintendent Battle.