It soon became well known that the best present you could give Tonino was a book—and the best book would be about the unimaginable situation where there were no spells. For Tonino preferred fantasy. In his favourite books, people had wild adventures with no magic to help or hinder them.
The Magicians of Caprona, by Diana Wynne Jones (via icastleamcaptured)
He pointed to Chrestomanci. “How do we know he’s safe? For all we know, he could be the Devil that you summoned up!”
The old lady looked shocked. “What an unpleasant thing to say,” she said to Brian. “Hasn’t anyone told you that the Devil, however he appears, is never a perfect gentleman? Quite unlike this Mr.-er-Mr.-?” She looked at Chrestomanci with her eyebrows politely raised.
“Chrestomanci, madam,” he said.
A perfect gentleman. [From Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones] (via kateviardo)
I see,” said the Stranger. “I’m called Chrestomanci, by the way.”
“Oh!” said Cat. This was a real crisis. He put his hat of apples down in the middle of the spell, which he very much hoped would ruin it. “Then you’ve got to come in the parlor at once.”
“Why?” said Chrestomanci, sounding rather bewildered.
“Because,” said Cat, thoroughly exasperated, “you’re far too important to stay here.”
“What makes you think I’m important?” Chrestomanci asked, still bewildered.
Cat was beginning to want to shake him. “You must be. You’re wearing important clothes. And Mrs. Sharp said you were. She said Mr. Nostrum would give his eyes for your three letters.”
“Has Mr. Nostrum given his eyes for my letters?” asked Chrestomanci. “It hardly seems worth it.”
“No. He just gave Gwendolen lessons for them,” said Cat.
“What? For his eyes? How uncomfortable!” said Chrestomanci.
from Charmed Life, by Diana Wynne Jones (via delirious-bitter-gardens)
