Crows Quote by Eva Ibbotson
““Colonel da Silva was particularly upset. All the trouble he had taken to lead the crows astray had come to nothing. He felt he had failed his old friend Bernard, and he was going to miss Finn. “I’d better go and see what’s to be done about the Arabella ,” he said to his second-in-command. “And all Taverner’s things. The dog’ll go wild, I imagine; he can fend for himself.” He sighed. “I’ll go next week--the Indians will see that no one steals anything. And if those wretched Carter twins come again to ask about the reward, send them away with a flea in their ear. The boy hasn’t been gone three days. Nasty, moneygrubbing little worms!” And he turned aside and spat out of the window, a thing he hadn’t done since he was a young cadet and thought spitting was the thing to do.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Secret of the Old Clock by Eva Ibbotson, 1995
A leader feels guilt for failing a friend and worries about losing a valued companion, prompting hasty decisions.
In simple terms: He feels guilty and anxious about losing a friend and a dog.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge guilt, plan calmly.
Themes
guilt
leadership
loss
decisionmaking
Mood
anxious
reflective
Type
narrative
dramatic
When to use this quote
- military command
- friendship crisis
- animal care
- reward disputes
Key Concepts
responsibility
emotional turmoil
anticipation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does guilt affect decision quality?
- What steps can calm anxious leaders?
A Different Perspective
He may act impulsively without full information.
