From The Hollow Chest, by Alice Tilton:

***

Leonidas had learned that the simplest method of quelling excessive curiosity was a full and tedious explanation. [And so have I (:v>! Because I think most people who pepper one with random nosey questions aren't actually interested in listening to answers--their kick comes from asking the questions.]

***

[Wodehousian Telegram Business dept.]

Instead of sending him thirty-odd identical messages, he thought, Mrs. Clemson Vandercook might well have presented him with one full and explicit telegram that contained a few enlightening details.

***

[Remember this, from Cold Steal?]

"East Dalton, West Dalton, North Dalton, South Dalton, Dalton Hills, Dalton Farms,  Dalton Centre,  Dalton Village,  Dalton Falls,  Dalton Upper Falls,  Dalton Lower Falls,  Daltondale, Daltonville,  Daltonham, Dalton Landing,  Daltonwood--"

[Well, there's another roster in the present book, which introduces Dalton Highlands and Dalton Greens!]

***

"Oh, so this is the right corner! I thought it was Eighth and Oak, but then almost anything seems right if you add it to Oak."

***

"I told her I was supposed to meet her there, after I asked if her name were George, and I suppose that she supposed I was a friend of her uncle's."

"It's too supposey," Lizzie said.

***

It must be Yerkes's niece. It had to be. She was the only niece available.

***

"Er--perhaps you refer to Section Four of the New Amended Code?"

"I suppose that's it. Yes...."

"Then, sir, may I venture to correct, or at least amend, your impression of that law?" Having made up the New Amended Code on the spur of the moment, Leonidas felt quite competent to amend and correct it any way he saw fit.

***

[Departments department]

"The Department," Leonidas murmured wearily, "of Complete and Utter Futility!"

***

[Just last week, I happened to recall the "six-day bicycle race" gag in ~1920s-1940s literature, and I was startled to realize I had yet to encounter it in the Tilton books. A couple of days later... Voilà!]

And the ensuing walk with the general had been as exhausting as any six-day bicycle race.

***

[As discussed, Leonidas frequently says "M'yes," But this was a new one on me...]

"M'yes, and no."

***

"Cripps has a high, thin voice, rather like a knitting needle."