Never, he said firmly, be intimidated by a person because of the size of house in which they were born. - Sean Russell

Ironically, or so it seemed to Tristam, the day was perfect and the green countryside rolled past in ordered tranquillity, the death of a single man having shockingly little impact on the larger world.

I am a trained empiricist, sir. Superstition is not compatible with my pursuits.

"We continue to negotiate the treaty, endlessly apparently, to everyone's continuing loss." He smiled wryly. "You know how such things go. We no longer debate to gain real advantage but to come away from the table having created the perception that we have somehow won. 'Politics,' this is called."