Quotes from Polly Perks

Polly had been soldiering for only a couple of days, but already an instinct had developed. In summary, it was this: lie to officers. (MR)

'He was “pressing his suit” in no small way, was he not?’
‘He didn’t have ironing in mind, sir!’ said Polly fervently.  (MR)

There was a bird whistle as Polly neared the hiding place.  She identified this one as the sound of the Very Bad Bird Impersonator. (MR)

'... he might be worth listening to.  Even if you think he’ll only tell us lies. Because sometimes, sir, the way people tell you lies, if they tell you enough lies, well, they sort of…show you what shape the truth is, sir.' (MR)

'How can you send a picture on the clacks?’ said Polly.  ‘I know people who’ve seen them.  It’s just a lot of boxes on a tower that go clack-clack!’
‘Ah, Otto explained that to me, too,’ said Maladict.  ‘It’s very ingenious.’
‘How does it work, then?’
‘Oh, I didn’t understand what he said. It was all about…numbers. But it certainly sounded very clever.'  (MR)

The trouble with Polly was that she had a mind that asked questions even when she really, really didn’t want to know the answers. (MR)

'You’re a liar, sarge,’ said Polly.  ‘Best I’ve ever heard.  One last lie pays for all!'  (MR)