Pelleas Anthor


Quotes (Authored)

"And just how," he asked, "did you know it was I he expected[?]"

"Well, who else could it be? He was expecting somebody in so secrety a way, if you know what I mean—and then you come gumping around trying to sneak through windows, instead of walking through the front door the way you would if you had any sense." She remembered a favorite line, and used it promptly. "Men are so stupid!"

  • Isaac Asimov, Pelleas Anthor, Arcadia "Arkady" Darell

    • "And now Arkady, would you be a good little girl and call your father?"

    Arcadia bridled. "I'm not a little girl. I think you're very rude—especially when you're asking a favor."

    Pelleas Anthor sighed. "Very well. Would you be a good, kind, dear, little old lady, and call your father?"

  • Isaac Asimov, Pelleas Anthor, Arcadia "Arkady" Darell

    • "Why do you think it is stupid to go to windows instead of to doors?"

    "Because you advertise what you're trying to hide, silly. If I have a secret, I don't put tape over my mouth and let everyone know I have a secret. I talk just as much as usual, only about something else. Didn't you ever read any of the sayings of Salvor Hardin? He was our first Mayor, you know."

    "Yes, I know."

    "Well, he used to say that only a lie that wasn't ashamed of itself could possibly succeed. He also said that nothing had to be true, but everything had to sound true. Well, when you come in through a window, it's a lie that's ashamed of itself and it doesn't sound true."

    "Then what would you have done?"

    "If I had wanted to see my father on top secret business, I would have made his acquaintance openly and seen him about all sorts of strictly legitimate things. And then when everyone knew all about you and connected you with my father as a matter of course, you could be as top secret as you want and nobody would ever think of questioning it."

  • Isaac Asimov, Pelleas Anthor, Arcadia "Arkady" Darell