“No harm in listening. Alexei's a child, not a wizard. We don't lose control of our brains by listening.”

“It's like they've forgotten everything important, isn't it? I mean, forgotten things like cats and dancing exist.”

“Wolves, and stars, and snow: Those things made sense.”

“But those coins are wishes! You’re stealing other people’s wishes!”The look Matteo gave her was so flinty, she could have chipped a tooth on it. “If you have money to waste on wishes, you don’t need the wishes as badly as I need the money.”

“Keep you secret, then, my darling. Everybody needs them. Secrets make you tough, and wily.”

“Governments can do both great and stupid things.”

“Only weak thinkers do not love the sky.”

“Let me introduce you. Sophie, this is Miss Eliot, from the National Childcare Agency. Miss Eliot, this is Sophie, from the ocean.”

“He was thirty-six years old, and six foot three. He spoke English to people and French to cats, and Latin to the birds. He had once nearly killed himself trying to read and ride a horse at the same time.”

“It is difficult to believe extraordinary things.”

“You have been the great green adventure of my life. Without you my days would be unlit.”