From She Shall Have Murder, by Delano Ames:
***
[Fictitious Books Mentioned in Actual Books dept.]
It [the book the narrator-protagonist was going to write, but she wrote this one instead] was going to be called "Waking--No Such Matter."
I am sorry about "Waking--No Such Matter." It would have been a significant book.
***
Dagobert's wife.
I ought, I suppose, to go into all that, but to tell the truth I have a headache, and perhaps she won't be necessary to the story. If she should intrude later on I shall describe her fully.
***
"You are very naughty, Jimmy, and Babs is very cross with you." The italics are her own.
***
The dramatic effect of the above break is admittedly phoney. I was interrupted. But on re-reading I decided to let it stand. It makes a kind of chapter, and I like plenty of chapters, so that you can stop reading with a clear conscience and do something useful.
***
[As the protagonist is enlisted by her boss to help him with a crossword clue about Fidelio.]
"Wasn't there someone in the opera," I said, getting interested in the thing in spite of myself, "who dresses herself up as a man?" My memory of the opera was vague; in fact I'd never heard of it.
***
Before dealing with the vagaries of Dagobert's imagination I'd better put down the unvarnished facts. They can be varnished afterwards.
***
It was a lovely evening and I'll not hear a word against it.
***
Then he began the "Prelude in C Sharp Minor" so quietly that you could almost hear the quietness.
***
"Good Lord!" He glanced at his wrist-watch and jumped to his feet. "I'll miss the Mickey Mouse--I hope."
***
[While dining in a restaurant]
We concentrated on something à la Valenciana.
***
And yet to-night as the cold and darkness reclaimed their nocturnal reign over the premises of Number II Mandel Street I was oppressed by the atmosphere. It had never occurred to me before that the office had an atmosphere.
***
"I could get fond of painting," he said, and I realised with horror that he meant it.
