The Deeds of the Disturber Quotes

“In the silence I heard Bastet, who had retreated under the bed, carrying on a mumbling, profane monologue. (If you ask how I knew it was profane, I presume you have never owned a cat.)”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“...DAMNATION!'

No device of the printer's art, not even capital letters, can indicate the intensity of that shriek of rage. Emerson is known to his Egyptian workers by the admiring sobriquet of Father of Curses. The volume as well as the content of his remarks earned him the title; but this shout was extraordinary even by Emerson's standards, so much so that the cat Bastet, who had become more or less accustomed to him, started violently, and fell with a splash into the bathtub.

The scene that followed is best not described in detail. My efforts to rescue the thrashing feline were met with hysterical resistance; water surged over the edge of the tub and onto the floor; Emerson rushed to the rescue; Bastet emerged in one mighty leap, like a whale broaching, and fled -- cursing, spitting, and streaming water. She and Emerson met in the doorway of the bathroom.

The ensuing silence was broken by the quavering voice of the safragi, the servant on duty outside our room, inquiring if we required his assistance. Emerson, seated on the floor in a puddle of soapy water, took a long breath. Two of the buttons popped off his shirt and splashed into the water. In a voice of exquisite calm he reassured the servant, and then transferred his bulging stare to me.

I trust you are not injured, Peabody. Those scratches...'

The bleeding has almost stopped, Emerson. It was not Bastet's fault.'

It was mine, I suppose,' Emerson said mildly.

Now, my dear, I did not say that. Are you going to get up from the floor?'

No,' said Emerson.

He was still holding the newspaper. Slowly and deliberately he separated the soggy pages, searching for the item that had occasioned his outburst. In the silence I heard Bastet, who had retreated under the bed, carrying on a mumbling, profane monologue. (If you ask how I knew it was profane, I presume you have never owned a cat.)”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“I will tell you a little secret about archaeologists, dear Reader. They all pretend t be very high-minded. They claim that their sole aim in excavation is to uncover the mysteries of the past and add to the store of human knowledge. They lie. What they really want is a spectacular discovery, so they can get their names in the newspapers and inspire envy and hatred in the hearts of their rivals.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“Now, Mama, Papa, and sir," said Ramses, "please withdraw to the farthest corner and crouch down with your backs turned. It is as I feared; we will never break through by this method. The walls are eight feet thick. Fortunately I brought along a little nitroglycerin--"
"Oh, good Gad," shrieked Inspector Cuff.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“You are softening toward the young rascal because he is ill, and because he says he likes cats."
"It is an engaging quality, Emerson."
"That depends," said Emerson darkly, "on how he likes them.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“Bless the ladies and their charming inconsistency! They demand to be treated like men, but they react like women.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“Ramses had always been fond of Helen, in his peculiar fashion, but if he had looked at me as he was looking at her, I would have sent for a constable.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“When, oh when will justice and reason prevail, and Woman descend from the pedestal on which Man has placed her (in order to prevent her from doing anything except standing perfectly still) and take her rightful place beside him?”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“he never comes to see us unless he wants something. Find out what it is, tell him “no,” and let us be off.”
― Elizabeth Peters, Deeds of the Disturber

“I am sure I need not explain to any sensible (that is, female) reader why I woke the following morning absolutely furious with Emerson. Such are the vacillations of the human heart; and I have observed that the farther one goes in one direction, the more violent the swing in the opposite direction will be.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“the wrongs of my oppressed sisters must always waken a flame of indignation in my bosom.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“the”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“I had never fully appreciated Ramses until I met Percy.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“The master thinks he commands the servant, but the servant knows—more than he should.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“(History has a kindly way of glossing over little faults like brigandage, slaughter, piracy, and assaults on women, especially when the perpetrators possess titles and landed estates.)”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“Never, I venture to say, has there been a more suitable ambiance for eerie adventure than the reeking, murky, muddy streets of dear old London.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“However, so-called lunatics are not feeble-witted. They have one mental quirk or aberration, and their over-all intelligence need not be diminished thereby.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“Reader, I spoke the truth. I never have and never will meddle in other people’s affairs. It is a word I abhor. There are times when a gentle hint or a helpful suggestion may save unnecessary suffering, and this I would not scruple to employ. But meddle—never.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“You are in the right, as always, Peabody,” he said. “But I beg you will get the fellow out of my house at once. I am the most reasonable of men, but even a temper as equable as mine must crack under such provocation.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“You are in the right, as always, Peabody,” he said. “But I beg you will get the fellow out of my house at once. I am the most reasonable of men, but even a temper as equable as mine must crack under such provocation. The”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“How Ramses had learned about the malevolent mummy I do not know. I had certainly taken care not to mention the subject in his hearing. However, his means of acquiring information, particularly on matters that were none of his concern, verged on the uncanny.”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber

“idiot,”
― Elizabeth Peters, The Deeds of the Disturber