To argue without knowledge is like trying to weave without thread. Barbara Mertz More Quotes by Barbara Mertz More Quotes From Barbara Mertz ...Nefret said with a gusty sigh, 'Well, that's done it. We may as well join in, Ramses, family arguments are the favorite form of amusement here and this looks like being a loud one. Barbara Mertz amusement done looks There was no warning, not even a knock. The door flew open, and he forgot his present aches and pains in anticipation of what lay in store. The figure that stood in the door was not that of an enemy. It was worse. It was his mother. Barbara Mertz pain mother doors The only people who are not in awe of Emerson's powerful voice and well-nigh superhuman strength are the members of his own family. He is aware of this, and often complains about it; so from time to time I like to put on a little show of being intimidated. 'Proceed, my dear,' I said apologetically. Barbara Mertz voice powerful people I sometimes wonder what it would be like to be the respected patriarch of an ordinary English family." "Very boring, Emerson. Barbara Mertz would-be ordinary sometimes 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. Barbara Mertz break-through eight wall 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. Barbara Mertz quality cat likes 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. Barbara Mertz helen fashion peculiar 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. Barbara Mertz heart lying past I do hope you have some money. I'm getting tired of hitting people. Barbara Mertz hitting tired people Humor is an excellent method of keeping a tight rein on unproductive displays of emotion. Barbara Mertz method excellent emotion The trouble with unknown enemies is that they are so difficult to identify. Barbara Mertz difficult trouble enemy If all else fails, we will simply have to drug our attendants, overpower the guards, raise the oppressed peasants to arms, and take over the government. Barbara Mertz arms drug government 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.) Barbara Mertz cat bed silence His masculinity was only too apparent Barbara Mertz masculinity Since I am not as stupid as my children believe I am, I had immediately realized this might be a ruse, but I was not at all averse to a confrontation. In fact, I had been hoping for some such thing. Barbara Mertz stupid believe children I disapprove of matrimony as a matter of principle.... Why should any independent, intelligent female choose to subject herself to the whims and tyrannies of a husband? I assure you, I have yet to meet a man as sensible as myself! (Amelia Peabody) Barbara Mertz independent husband intelligent It is much more sensible to be an optimist instead of a pessimist, for if one is doomed to disappointment, why experience it in advance? Barbara Mertz pessimist optimist disappointment I can do a book in three months if I spend all day, seven days a week at it and, in fact, I work better that way. Barbara Mertz three book way That's maturity-when you realize that you've finally arrived at a state of ignorance as profound as your parents. Barbara Mertz maturity ignorance profound Getting an idea for a book is not the problem, but you need 300 ideas - an idea a page. Barbara Mertz book ideas needs
