L.A. Meyer Quotes & Sayings

And if that is the Foremast, what do you think that sail might be called, Mr. Wheeler?"
"The Foresail?"
"Very good, Mr. Wheeler, and the next one up would be called ... "
... "The Next Sail, Sir?"
"Alas, no, Mr. Wheeler. — L.A. Meyer

Thanks, Tink, for being a good brother to me," I say, misting up a bit. "She's a fine girl, and I just know you'll be very happy together." I give him a kiss on the cheek.
"The Brotherhood forever, Jacky," is what he softly says in return, encircling me in his warm embrace. "Forever. — L.A. Meyer

I can smell the smoke now. I can see tendrils of it comin' up between the cracks in the shrikin' floorboards. There she is, calmly taking down the framed examples of fine embroideries, samplers, and needlework from teh hallway wall and tucking them under her arm.
"Mistress! Come on! You've got to leave!"
She calmly turns and faces me. "Why?" she asks. "The British are coming?"
"Only one, Mistress," I say — L.A. Meyer

It went on like that till some guys got together and came up with the one-god thing - him being God, the Father, and male and all that - and things went downhill for girls ever after that, far as I can figure. It was always, 'Get in your dress, girl, your smock, your shift or your burnoose or your veil, but whatever it is, girl, put it on and shut the hell up,' is how I see it. — L.A. Meyer

But surely we are not allowed ... "
"Allowed?" I counters. "We're allowed to do anything in this world until someone says we ain't allowed and that someone can back it up. — L.A. Meyer

I know, Ezra, that I tend to be a bit impulsive at times, but it all seems so reasonable at the time I do these things, and so unreasonable when everyone looks back at what happened and what I did — L.A. Meyer

You've got to think of the fine times you had with your mate, not the moment of his perishin'. Every tear you shed now only wets his windin' sheet and disturbs his rest — L.A. Meyer

It is said that boys fall in love with their eyes, because they can be initially struck to their very core by a girl's mere physical beauty, while girls tend to fall in love with their ears. The outward handsomeness of the lad notwithstanding, a girl most of all likes to hear words of love everlasting, of how he will be kind and gentle with her and protect her from harm and want to always hold her in the highest respect and esteem. — L.A. Meyer

Davy lets fly an oath and storms out of the hold. We hear his fist hit the wall as he leaves.
you really are an evil girl, says Jaimy.
I know, I murmur. I shall have to pay. — L.A. Meyer

There is a moment, just before I reach it that I consider going up through the lubber's hole because I'm wearing a dress, but I just can't do it. I go to the edge, do the flip over and land on the foretop. If anyone got a peek at my drawers, well, good for them, I hope they enjoyed it. — L.A. Meyer

Well,' I shrug, all innocent, 'we all ride our little hobbyhorses, don't we, Mr. Peel? — L.A. Meyer

We clear the harbor and the wind catches her sails and my beautiful ship leans over ever so gracefully, and her elegant bow cuts cleanly into the increasing chop of the waves. I take a deep breath and my chest expands and my heart starts thumping so strongly I fear the others might see it beat through the cloth of my jacket. I face the wind and my lips peel back from my teeth in a grin of pure joy. — L.A. Meyer

You was talkin' out of yer head last night, too," chortles Davy. "No one's gonna fancy me. I'm gonna be ugly and no on'es gonna fancyme!" he mimics, mincing about the hammock. "You are such a rum cove, Jacky, for thinkin' such things when yer just about beat t' death! Fancy me? Fancy me? Jacky, no one's gonna fancy us, we're all gonna end up lookin' like Snag!"
"Which is how a salty dog sailor's supposed to look," says Willy with a firm nod.
"And you're halfway there, Jack-o!" crows Tink.
Ah, the sweet comfort of friends. — L.A. Meyer

A girl that's born for hangin' ain't likely to be drowned. — L.A. Meyer

Randall looks at me with fire in his eye, but he nods and decides to smile at my banter. He gets to his feet, bows low, and says, "I believe I saw my sister's fat friend Pickering down below. Shall we all go to dinner and hear more tales of your adventures?"
Hey, Ezra ain't fat, he's ... well ... sleek is what he is. Sleek, like a well-fed seal. Or, hey, maybe even a silkie ... — L.A. Meyer

men i swear."
-jacky faber — L.A. Meyer

I fear that I am losing my mind. But really, it would not be such a precious thing to lose, as it only causes me pain. — L.A. Meyer

I see you've sent another group of raggedy ship's boys off to sea ... All that batch lacks is a tomboy girl to go with them to put them straight. — L.A. Meyer

Finally, he backs off and looks at me, smiling. "First time you've been kissed by a man, Puss? A real man?"
I come back to my senses and says, breathlessly, "Put out the fire, Jared."
"If you mean the fire down below, Jacky, that will never go out ... ," he says, coming for me again.
"The fire on the desk, you fool! — L.A. Meyer

What's the matter Jaimy? Ain't-cha never seen a girl before?
-Jacky Faber — L.A. Meyer

I go to the rail and shout after her as she descends the stairs, "But that Mrs. Shinn called me a whore! In front of everybody!"
She pauses on the middle steps and looks up at me. "Perhaps, Miss Faber, it is because you continually act like one! — L.A. Meyer

It's easier bein' a boy, 'cause when someone needs somethin' done like holdin' a horse, they'll always pick a boy 'cause they think the dumbest boy will be better at it than the brightest girl, which is stupid, but there you are. — L.A. Meyer

Now, you just forget about Jaimy, 'cause he's sure forgot about you, the snob. Now let's me and you go and get married and have a fine toss in the hay and then we'll talk about other things." Davy looks out across the crowd. "Let's us lovers find a preacher." He points at a tall man in black coat. "Sir! You there! Are you a preacher? Well, who cares, you'll do, now just say the words, now ... — L.A. Meyer

When in Boston, I shall be able to take you out to dinner, if not to bed. I should greatly prefer the latter, but I must accept my lot. — L.A. Meyer

Ah Padriac. I have often wondered if boys who have flaming red hair up top also have ... yep. — L.A. Meyer

The pants come down. Most look shamefaced, but tha Arthur McBride is not the least bit shy about showing off his equipment, oh no, he isn't. He grins in my direction. 'Not all that impressive, boyo — L.A. Meyer

I'm really a peaceful sort of coward. — L.A. Meyer

If I take a tumble, I'll mae quite a splash, but at least I won't smash against the deck and make a mess. Still be dead, though. — L.A. Meyer

We're allowed to do anything in this world until someone says we aren't allowed and that someone can back it up. -Jacky Faber — L.A. Meyer

I close my eyes, hoping to slip into the same dream again, but then that never happens, does it? — L.A. Meyer

Hmmmm ... There certainly are a lot of pretty boys in this world. — L.A. Meyer

I warn't never meant to be a lady, I know that now. I got streaks of wildness in me that trip me up every time, and just like streaks in clothes, there's some dirt that just won't wash out. — L.A. Meyer

The sun in on the harbor, love,
And I wish I could remain,
For I know it will be some long, long time,
Before I see you again. — L.A. Meyer

I'll be a lady tomorrow — L.A. Meyer

Why did I follow her? If you must know, Sir, it was easy. Pound for pound, Puss-in-Boots was the best commander I ever served under. — L.A. Meyer

Boys get to do what they want in this world, and girls do not. — L.A. Meyer

Then it hits me ...
And it hits me with the force of a blow. I am maybe fifteen years old. I am a girl. I am also acting lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and, by the Naval Rules and Regulations as regards the chain of command, I am in command of His Majesty's Ship Wolverine. — L.A. Meyer

Why, then?" I demand. "It is because, Miss Faber," says Mr. Peel, smiling one of his very rare smiles. "It is because you can swim." What? — L.A. Meyer