---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With a shrug and a blink, the policeman…"
description: "\"“With a shrug and a blink, the policeman moved past Will, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath about swearing off the gin before h..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg"
---

#  With a shrug and a blink, the policeman moved past Will…

![“With a shrug and a blink, the policeman moved past Will, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath about swearing off the gin before he truly started seeing things. Will stepped aside to let the man pass, then raised his voice to a shout: &quot;James Carstairs! Jem! Where are you, you…” quote by Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg)

> ““With a shrug and a blink, the policeman moved past Will, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath about swearing off the gin before he truly started seeing things. Will stepped aside to let the man pass, then raised his voice to a shout: "James Carstairs! Jem! Where are you, you disloyal bastard?””

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A character confronts a betrayer, mixing frustration with a hint of desperation, highlighting the tension between loyalty and betrayal.

**In simple terms:** A person angrily calls out a traitor.

Key Takeaway

Confront betrayal directly.

Themes

betrayal loyalty conflict desperation

Mood

tense angry dramatic

Type

dialogue dramatic emotional

When to use this quote

- family dispute
- friendship fallout
- workplace betrayal
- personal confrontation

Key Concepts

trust identity power dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- What drives the speaker to publicly shame the betrayer?
- How could a calmer approach change the outcome?

A Different Perspective

The accusation may inflame the situation, risking further conflict.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[James carstairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james-carstairs/)

## Related quotes

> [“James Carstairs! Jem! Where are you, you disloyal bastard?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/james-carstairs-jem-where-are-you-you-disloyal-bastard/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Move, Kit. I want to get a closer look at that bust.” To Kit, bust only meant one thing, but since the only breasts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/move-kit-i-want-to-get-a-closer-look-at-that-bust-to-kit-bust-only/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“I thought you needed me," Jem said. "There is a wall you have built about yourself, Will, and I have never asked you why.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-thought-you-needed-me-jem-said-there-is-a-wall-you-have-built-about/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I love you so much, so incredibly much," he went on, "and I forget when you're close to me, I forget who you are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-love-you-so-much-so-incredibly-much-he-went-on-and-i-forget-when/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Rage flared up in Tessa and she considered belting Woolsey with the poker whether he came near her or not. He had moved awfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/rage-flared-up-in-tessa-and-she-considered-belting-woolsey-with-the/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I know," he said, looking down at himself self-consciously. "I am not-I mean, I look-" "Beautiful," she said, and she meant it. "You look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-know-he-said-looking-down-at-himself-self-consciously-i-am-not-i/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [If there is a life after this one, he said, let me meet you in it, James Carstairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-there-is-a-life-after-this-one-he-said-let-me-meet-you-in-it-james/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“That sounds almost practiced, James Carstairs. How many girls have you made swoon with that observation?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/that-sounds-almost-practiced-james-carstairs-how-many-girls-have-you/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“You hear that, James Carstairs? We are bound, you and I, over the divide of death, down through whatever generations may come. Forever. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-hear-that-james-carstairs-we-are-bound-you-and-i-over-the-divide/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Dreams can be dangerous things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/dreams-can-be-dangerous-things/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Do you remember when we stood together on Blackfriars Bridge?” he asked softly, and his eyes were like that night had been, all black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/do-you-remember-when-we-stood-together-on-blackfriars-bridge-he-asked/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [You speak of sacrifice, but it is not my sacrifice I offer. It is yours I ask of you," he went on. "I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-speak-of-sacrifice-but-it-is-not-my-sacrifice-i-offer-it-is-yours/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [When I am in the darkness, I want to think of it in the light, with you. - James Carstairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/when-i-am-in-the-darkness-i-want-to-think-of-it-in-the-light-with-you/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“He looked surprised, as if he were not used to such praise, but surely he must be, Tessa thought in confusion. Surely everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-looked-surprised-as-if-he-were-not-used-to-such-praise-but-surely/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee - for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/entreat-me-not-to-leave-thee-or-to-return-from-following-after-thee/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

## More by Cassandra Clare

> [Against his own will, almost, Will felt himself understanding; he would have done anything, he thought, told any lie, taken any risk, to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/against-his-own-will-almost-will-felt-himself-understanding-he-would/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Must I go bound while you go free Must I love a manwho doesn't love me Must I be born with so little art…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/must-i-go-bound-while-you-go-free-must-i-love-a-manwho-doesn-t-love/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [If you're texting Magnus to say 'I think u r kewl,' I'm going to kill you." "Who's Magnus?" Max inquired. "He's a warlock," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-you-re-texting-magnus-to-say-i-think-u-r-kewl-i-m-going-to-kill/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“they all have always loved you Will Herondale, for you cannot hide what is good about yourself, however har you try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/they-all-have-always-loved-you-will-herondale-for-you-cannot-hide/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“We work through this together, remember? No shutting me out. No epic sulks.” “I was figuring I could sulk for Idris in the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/we-work-through-this-together-remember-no-shutting-me-out-no-epic/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Lex malla, lex nulla,” said Julian with a regretful wave of his hand. It was the Blackthorn family motto: A bad law is no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/lex-malla-lex-nulla-said-julian-with-a-regretful-wave-of-his-hand-it/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I'm memorable, its true." -Magnus, pg.229-](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-m-memorable-its-true-magnus-pg-229/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“There is more to living than not dying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/there-is-more-to-living-than-not-dying/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Unless there was a reason for me to stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/unless-there-was-a-reason-for-me-to-stay/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Love didn't make you weak, it made you stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/love-didn-t-make-you-weak-it-made-you-stronger/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“I wasn’t just worried about him; I was worried about you, too. There’s something so . . . reassuring about you. And Jace is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-wasn-t-just-worried-about-him-i-was-worried-about-you-too-there-s/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I firmly believe that you can't get a good movie without risking a bad movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-firmly-believe-that-you-can-t-get-a-good-movie-without-risking-a/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

[Explore all 4,049 Cassandra Clare quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

## More James carstairs quotes

> [“He looked surprised, as if he were not used to such praise, but surely he must be, Tessa thought in confusion. Surely everyone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/he-looked-surprised-as-if-he-were-not-used-to-such-praise-but-surely/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [When I am in the darkness, I want to think of it in the light, with you. - James Carstairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/when-i-am-in-the-darkness-i-want-to-think-of-it-in-the-light-with-you/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [You speak of sacrifice, but it is not my sacrifice I offer. It is yours I ask of you," he went on. "I can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-speak-of-sacrifice-but-it-is-not-my-sacrifice-i-offer-it-is-yours/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Do you remember when we stood together on Blackfriars Bridge?” he asked softly, and his eyes were like that night had been, all black…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/do-you-remember-when-we-stood-together-on-blackfriars-bridge-he-asked/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Dreams can be dangerous things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/dreams-can-be-dangerous-things/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“You hear that, James Carstairs? We are bound, you and I, over the divide of death, down through whatever generations may come. Forever. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/you-hear-that-james-carstairs-we-are-bound-you-and-i-over-the-divide/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“That sounds almost practiced, James Carstairs. How many girls have you made swoon with that observation?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/that-sounds-almost-practiced-james-carstairs-how-many-girls-have-you/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [If there is a life after this one, he said, let me meet you in it, James Carstairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/if-there-is-a-life-after-this-one-he-said-let-me-meet-you-in-it-james/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I know," he said, looking down at himself self-consciously. "I am not-I mean, I look-" "Beautiful," she said, and she meant it. "You look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-know-he-said-looking-down-at-himself-self-consciously-i-am-not-i/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [Rage flared up in Tessa and she considered belting Woolsey with the poker whether he came near her or not. He had moved awfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/rage-flared-up-in-tessa-and-she-considered-belting-woolsey-with-the/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“James Carstairs! Jem! Where are you, you disloyal bastard?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/james-carstairs-jem-where-are-you-you-disloyal-bastard/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I love you so much, so incredibly much," he went on, "and I forget when you're close to me, I forget who you are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-love-you-so-much-so-incredibly-much-he-went-on-and-i-forget-when/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“I thought you needed me," Jem said. "There is a wall you have built about yourself, Will, and I have never asked you why.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/i-thought-you-needed-me-jem-said-there-is-a-wall-you-have-built-about/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee - for whither thou goest, I will go, and where thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/entreat-me-not-to-leave-thee-or-to-return-from-following-after-thee/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [“Will rose slowly to his feet. He could not believe he was doing what he was doing, but it was clear that he was,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/will-rose-slowly-to-his-feet-he-could-not-believe-he-was-doing-what/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

[Browse all 25 James carstairs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/james-carstairs/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“With a shrug and a blink, the policeman moved past Will, shaking his head and muttering something under his breath about swearing off the gin before he truly started seeing things. Will stepped aside to let the man pass, then raised his voice to a shout: \"James Carstairs! Jem! Where are you, you disloyal bastard?”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Cassandra Clare"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-moved-past-will-shaking-his/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "James carstairs"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-moved-past-will-shaking-his/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7bd/cassandra-clare-9_james-carstairs_with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-m_638791.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“With a shrug and a blink, the policeman moved past Will, shaking his head and muttering something under his…” — Cassandra Clare",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Cassandra Clare",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“With a shrug and a blink,...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-moved-past-will-shaking-his/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/with-a-shrug-and-a-blink-the-policeman-moved-past-will-shaking-his/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
