Ferdinand Fakenham Quotes

“The Honorable Ferdy, who had been pondering at intervals all day how his cousin's wife came by such a peculiar name, now introduced a new note into the conversation by saying suddenly, 'Can't make it out at all! You're sure you've got that right, Sherry?'
'Got what right?'
'Hero,' said Ferdy, frowning. 'Look at it which way you like, it don't make sense. For one thing, a hero ain't a female, and for another it ain't a "name." At least,' he added cautiously, 'it ain't one I've ever heard of. Ten to one you've made one of your muffs, Sherry!'
'Oh no, I truly am called Hero!' the lady assured him. 'It's out of Shakespeare.'
'Oh, out of "Shakespeare," is it?' said Ferdy. 'That accounts for my not having heard it before.'
'You're out of Shakespeare too,' said Hero, helping herself liberally from a dish of green peas.
'I am?' Ferdy exclaimed, much struck.
'Yes, in the "Tempest," I think.'
'Well, if that don't beat all!' Ferdy said, looking around at his friends. 'She says I'm out of Shakespeare! Must tell my father that. Shouldn't think he knows.”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child

“I feel devilish,' said Mr Ringwood morosely. He added, with a flicker of spirit: 'At all events I have let my man shave me!'
'Yes,' admitted Ferdy, recalling with a shudder Mr Ringwood's appearance earlier in the day. 'If you had not, Gil, dear old fellow, I couldn't have dined with you. Couldn't have fancied a morsel!' He regarded the Belcher handkerchief with misgiving. 'And, dash it, I'm not sure I shall be able to fancy anything as it is!'
However, he was presently able to to do full justice to a very handsome dinner, consisting of buttered crab, a dish of mutton fry with parsnips, a pheasant pie, with several side-dishes, including some potted sturgeon, and a cold boiled knuckle of veal, and pig's face.”
― Georgette Heyer, Friday's Child