The Code for Killing Quotes

“Thus fortified with virtuous thoughts of resuming what he imagined as the quiet and blameless existence of a country doctor, Adam reached his house in a more peaceful state of mind,”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“This city is full of girls like your Molly. It is impossible to stop the trade.” “It is indeed,” Miss LaSalle said, “since there are so many men who take advantage of it.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“I cannot understand how you have reached almost to your thirtieth year and remained so ignorant of women, my son,” she said. “I am sure it is none of my doing. Perhaps if you had older sisters …” “What?” Mrs Bascom leaned forward and patted her son’s hand. “Never mind, Adam,” she said. “One day, God willing, a woman will be willing to take you in hand and address your education in the ways of our sex. This is not a task a mother can do.” She paused for a moment in reflection. “God send her great strength though, for I fear she will need it.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Miss LaSalle,” Adam cried. “Once again you have proved the sharpness of your mind and I congratulate you …” “Not on my beauty though,” the young woman said softly. “What? Oh … that too, I expect,” Adam said.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“I promise I will give you many more opportunities to vent your bad temper in my direction if you wait but a little.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“I did not know you were a philosopher, Miss LaSalle,” Adam said. He knew he was being disagreeable, but he could not help himself. “Are not all women, doctor? Else they could never cope with the way men treat them. Now, please stop trying to annoy me and do as I ask. I promise I will give you many more opportunities to vent your bad temper in my direction if you wait but a little.” Adam was defeated. If she persisted in responding with such wit and good humour to his truculence, he might as well give in. Yet he was still sulky enough not to want her to see his change of mood. “Oh, very well,” he said, sighing mightily. “If I must …” “Indeed you must, sir. Now come along and stop behaving like a small boy whose playthings are taken from him. Reassure your dear mother that you are not annoyed with her or I will be angry with you. Like the cat you think I am, I assure you I can bite and scratch with a will, if provoked.” With that, she stood aside to allow him to precede her through the doorway – and to conceal the way she stuck out her tongue at his back, once he had passed.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Although it is not my place to comment on your behaviour, I do feel that you might try to show a more friendly face to the world.” “Perhaps I might,” Adam irritated now, “if the world showed a better face towards me.” “Why should it, sir? I’m sure the world has more to worry about than the opinion you hold of it. It has always seemed to me that the world is much like a mirror. Scowl at it and the face you see scowls back. Smile and it will assume a more cheerful visage in return.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“A lazy wind’ the old-timers called it. Blew right through you instead of taking the trouble to go around.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“The man within is unchanged, even if his body is collapsing into the ultimate decay.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“I gather you made yet another appearance at an inquest in Gressington. I swear you attract murders, Bascom. All is quiet here for decades. Then you arrive and two men are murdered in that wretched little village within twelve months.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“I do not have the power to thank you enough, Dr Bascom,” she went on. “Nor will I ever have, though I live to be a hundred. And not just for what you have done for my husband, sir, but what you have done for me as well. I too slept last night for the first time in weeks. This morning, I have been able to sit here, with this little darling for company, looking out at the world with some hope that my nightmare is ending.” “My lady …” Adam began. “No, sir. I will bid you good day at once, lest I say more than I should and more than propriety will allow. Come again soon, very soon. My husband will be most glad to see you … and so will I.” With that, she rang a small bell set beside her chair and the maid returned in an instant. The speed with which this happened seemed indeed to bear out Sir Daniel’s remark that it did not do to keep the lady waiting.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Although the calendar suggested spring must be advancing, the heavy clouds and constant drizzle gave the lie to such optimism.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“You did not choose medicine, even as a last resort. It chose you.” “It is a hard task-master, Sir Daniel.” “Life is a hard master, Doctor, whatever profession or calling we follow.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“may have been in a great hurry to reach Mossterton when he set out some fifteen minutes later, but Betty was not. She was not accustomed to being taken from her comfortable stable and hustled into her harness with so little ceremony. As a result, she decided to sulk – a skill she had polished to a fine edge of perfection. This involved refusing to go faster than a moderate walk. Added to this were sudden stops to express unreasonable fear of some harmless object by the roadside. Finally there were continual cold looks delivered in Adam’s direction over her shoulder. Had she been the temperamental and spoiled mistress of some great lord, she could not have put on a better display. It was all injured innocence oppressed by unreasonable demands.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“As for ‘special looks’ – and men in general – she decided to avoid both, if all they brought her was such trouble.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Hannah had left a copy of The Norwich Intelligencer newspaper of two days ago on the table for him. Adam picked it up and began to read in the fashion typical of many, skipping over serious matters and seeking out amusing diversions.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Do not frighten our guest, Alice,” Miss Jempson said softly, “and do not embarrass me with thy exaggerations. Like many a grand lady, Doctor, Lady Alice defends herself when nervous by assuming a most aggressive manner.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Had you not, Doctor? Maybe you should have …” She stopped on a sudden and hung her head. “Alas, what a silly, vain creature I am. I promised not to taunt you and here I am doing that very thing. Take no notice of me, I pray you. It is but nervousness that I will say something stupid that makes me act thus. I will go to my room now. Good afternoon, sir. I believe you take a chaise from The Maid’s Head shortly and so will not be here for dinner. Permit me to wish you a pleasant journey.” With that, she left the room, causing Adam to feel even more puzzled by her behaviour than before.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Mrs Bascom said. “My son has to make his way in the world. He cannot always be at your beck and call.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“his mother said. “How was your time in London?” “It is not a city I much relish,” Adam said. “It is too noisy and crowded.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“He had them leave him at the Maid’s Head Inn in Norwich, where he knew he could get what he wanted most: a substantial breakfast. To eat heavily during a journey was not something he advised for others, nor did himself. The constant jolting along the road prevented the proper operation of the stomach. Coach passengers who indulged too heavily in food or drink were apt to suffer a violent indigestion. Some, he had read, even died when their hearts failed under the strain. Now his own travelling was over, at least for that day, Adam could satisfy his hunger without fear of the consequences.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Norwich is somewhat turbulent at present,” Adam said. “Maybe that is what they sensed.” “Norwich is always turbulent. Your county is known for the pig-headed, contrary, undisciplined nature of its inhabitants, Bascom. They are eager in little save to have everything their own way.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Being in London made him feel breathless. There were so many people, so much noise and so many smells, many of them sadly rank. He supposed the inhabitants grew used to it, but he could not imagine what it would be like to have to cope with such a crowded mass of humanity every day.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“I was foolish enough to accept a commission as a major. I imagined pomp and riding at the head of a fine body of men. What I have got is drudgery and constant problems with discipline. I tell you, these local men will never cause the French anywhere near as much trouble as they are causing me.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“So, what news we have here! You have another mystery – quite a complicated one, as it seems to me – and you now have a beautiful young woman to assist you. I have always enjoyed your company, Bascom, but you may be sure I will relish it even more from now on.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Miss LaSalle does possess a quiet beauty, I admit. Not the showy magnificence of the supposed darlings of the ton. The kind of beauty that consists in wonderful eyes, hair that shines, an unblemished complexion and a figure suitable for a sculptor to relish …” “My, my,” Peter interrupted, “ I have never known you poetic before. This is serious!” “Hush!” Adam said. “I will not repeat myself. Yes, Miss LaSalle is beautiful – or I judge her so – but she is far more remarkable in the quickness and power of her mind.” “Fiddle-de-dee to a woman’s mind,”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Now you admit the situation, it is clear she has begun to enter your affections and you long to speak of her.” “You go too far, Lassimer. I will admit she is a fine woman …” “Hah! You speak of her as if she were a horse! ‘Fine woman’ indeed.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“today was Sunday. Most respectable families would likely either still be in church or chapel. The Dissenting ministers especially had a reputation for lengthy sermonising. Others would have returned home to various pastimes suitable for the Sabbath. Only heathens like himself and the inevitable idlers and loafers would be abroad.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“See? You are not as dull as you pretend, given some pushing.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing

“Fie on what is proper! You can have no idea how much ideas of what is proper grate on any woman with spirit, sir. I said unfortunately and that is what I meant.”
― William Savage, The Code for Killing