--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: She boasted the general battle-ax…" description: "\"She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an especially strict governess. This was the kind of woman who took her tea black, smoked cigars after mi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg" --- # She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an… ![“She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an especially strict governess. This was the kind of woman who took her tea black, smoked cigars after midnight, played a mean game of cribbage, and kept a bevy of repulsive little dogs. Alexia liked her immediately.” quote by Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg) > “She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an especially strict governess. This was the kind of woman who took her tea black, smoked cigars after midnight, played a mean game of cribbage, and kept a bevy of repulsive little dogs. Alexia liked her immediately.” [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A vivid portrait of a stern, unconventional woman with strong habits and a fondness for dogs, instantly admired by a younger character. **In simple terms:** A strict, quirky lady wins admiration. Key Takeaway Notice how unique traits can attract others. Themes character quirkiness authority mentorship Mood descriptive intriguing Type character sketch observation When to use this quote - school settings - friendships - mentor relationships - social gatherings Key Concepts social perception personality traits Questions to Reflect On - What makes strictness appealing? - How do habits shape first impressions? A Different Perspective Her harshness may alienate others despite charm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alexia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexia/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Cigar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cigar/) [Demeanor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demeanor/) [Dog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dog/) [Games](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/games/) [Midnight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/midnight/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) ## Related quotes > [“Mrs. Loontwill’s face, that of a pretty woman who had aged without realizing it, screwed itself up into a grimace Alexia supposed was meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/mrs-loontwill-s-face-that-of-a-pretty-woman-who-had-aged-without/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Alexia had, in part, compensated for a lack of soul through the liberal application of manners. This was rather like donning an outfit consisting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-had-in-part-compensated-for-a-lack-of-soul-through-the-liberal/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“He was awfully good at being aristocratic. Alexia, on the other hand, was only good at being autocratic. Not quite the same thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/he-was-awfully-good-at-being-aristocratic-alexia-on-the-other-hand/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“How did that saying go? Alexia wondered. Ah, yes, “Brash as an American.” Well, they had won their independence somehow, and it was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/how-did-that-saying-go-alexia-wondered-ah-yes-brash-as-an-american/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Someone was trying to kill Lady Alexia Maccon. It was most inconvenient, as she was in a dreadful hurry. Given her previous familiarity with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/someone-was-trying-to-kill-lady-alexia-maccon-it-was-most/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Why Alexia that is quite beautiful. It does ot reflect your customary taste at all approved Miss Hisselpenny with glee. Trust Ivy to like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/why-alexia-that-is-quite-beautiful-it-does-ot-reflect-your-customary/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Alexia blinked stupidly at the Beta from around the earl’s upper arm. Her heart was doing crazy things, and she still could not locate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-blinked-stupidly-at-the-beta-from-around-the-earl-s-upper-arm/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [It was a constant source of amazement to Alexia that the only thing she had ever done in her entire life that pleased her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/it-was-a-constant-source-of-amazement-to-alexia-that-the-only-thing/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Alexia was not a particularly musical person, and her husband, a noted opera singer in his human days, had once described her bath time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-was-not-a-particularly-musical-person-and-her-husband-a-noted/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Alexia abhorred hypocrisy, especially when munitions were involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-abhorred-hypocrisy-especially-when-munitions-were-involved/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“How ghastly for her,” said Alexia, driven beyond endurance into comment. “People actually thinking, with their brains, and right next door. Oh, the travesty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/how-ghastly-for-her-said-alexia-driven-beyond-endurance-into-comment/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Ah, Ivy, thought Alexia happily, spreading a verbal fog wherever she goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ah-ivy-thought-alexia-happily-spreading-a-verbal-fog-wherever-she-goes/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Alexia decided, then and there, that Lord Conall Maccon clearly had only two modes of operation: annoyed and aroused. She wondered which one she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-decided-then-and-there-that-lord-conall-maccon-clearly-had/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Alexia seemed to recall hearing one matron complain that the Italians were very passionate in their support of balls.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-seemed-to-recall-hearing-one-matron-complain-that-the-italians/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“We realy must work on our communitcation. Perhaps if you were not so constantly intrested in other forms of intimacy, I might actually have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/we-realy-must-work-on-our-communitcation-perhaps-if-you-were-not-so/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## More by Gail Carriger > [“There was a pleasantness to the air and a spirit about the town that did not come from its color, but from some inner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/there-was-a-pleasantness-to-the-air-and-a-spirit-about-the-town-that/) [gail carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [I do not giggle without purpose. Lady Linette says you should never misapply a giggle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/i-do-not-giggle-without-purpose-lady-linette-says-you-should-never/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [My Hallway" remarked Lord Akeldama,"Has never seen such lively action. And That, my sugarplums, is saying something!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/my-hallway-remarked-lord-akeldama-has-never-seen-such-lively-action/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Ball?" said one of the Pistons with interest. "We like balls." Dimity gave them her best, most haughty look. "Yes, but are you certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ball-said-one-of-the-pistons-with-interest-we-like-balls-dimity-gave/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Goodness gracious me,' exclaimed Alexia, 'what are you wearing? It looks like the unfortunate progeny of an illicit union between a pair of binoculars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/goodness-gracious-me-exclaimed-alexia-what-are-you-wearing-it-looks/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Ivy waved the wet handkerchief, as much as to say, words cannot possibly articulate my profound distress. Then, because Ivy never settled for meaningful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ivy-waved-the-wet-handkerchief-as-much-as-to-say-words-cannot/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Such poopitations of the heart as you would not believe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/such-poopitations-of-the-heart-as-you-would-not-believe/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Lady Maccon cogitated. She would like to encourage this new spirit of social-mindedness. If Felicity needed anything in her life, it was a cause.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/lady-maccon-cogitated-she-would-like-to-encourage-this-new-spirit-of/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Why did you want to go and distract me like that? I was quite in my element and everything.' Conall laughed. 'Someone has to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/why-did-you-want-to-go-and-distract-me-like-that-i-was-quite-in-my/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Steampunk is...the love child of Hot Topic and a BBC costume drama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/steampunk-is-the-love-child-of-hot-topic-and-a-bbc-costume-drama/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“She wondered if the immortal's avoidance of life's ugliness was a matter of survival or bigotry. Lord Akeldama did so love to know all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/she-wondered-if-the-immortal-s-avoidance-of-life-s-ugliness-was-a/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Sophronia had no idea why Felix was so intent upon her. She had not yet received lessons in seduction, or she might have understood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/sophronia-had-no-idea-why-felix-was-so-intent-upon-her-she-had-not/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Lord Maccon believed that if his trousers were on his legs, and something else was on his torso, he was dressed. The less done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/lord-maccon-believed-that-if-his-trousers-were-on-his-legs-and/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [But we were talking about me and my problems." Sophronia looked Monique up and down gravely. "I don't think we're going to solve those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/but-we-were-talking-about-me-and-my-problems-sophronia-looked-monique/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Nice prong," said Sophronia after a moment. Felix grinned and waggled his eyebrows lasciviously. "Thank you for saying so." Sophronia was instantly suspicious. "You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/nice-prong-said-sophronia-after-a-moment-felix-grinned-and-waggled/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) [Explore all 289 Gail Carriger quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) ## More Alexia quotes > [“Mrs. Loontwill’s face, that of a pretty woman who had aged without realizing it, screwed itself up into a grimace Alexia supposed was meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/mrs-loontwill-s-face-that-of-a-pretty-woman-who-had-aged-without/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Alexia seemed to recall hearing one matron complain that the Italians were very passionate in their support of balls.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-seemed-to-recall-hearing-one-matron-complain-that-the-italians/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“Alexia decided, then and there, that Lord Conall Maccon clearly had only two modes of operation: annoyed and aroused. She wondered which one she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-decided-then-and-there-that-lord-conall-maccon-clearly-had/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Ah, Ivy, thought Alexia happily, spreading a verbal fog wherever she goes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/ah-ivy-thought-alexia-happily-spreading-a-verbal-fog-wherever-she-goes/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“How ghastly for her,” said Alexia, driven beyond endurance into comment. “People actually thinking, with their brains, and right next door. Oh, the travesty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/how-ghastly-for-her-said-alexia-driven-beyond-endurance-into-comment/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Alexia abhorred hypocrisy, especially when munitions were involved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-abhorred-hypocrisy-especially-when-munitions-were-involved/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Means everything to me < 3](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angel-eyes/means-everything-to-me-3/) Angel\_eyes > [“Alexia was not a particularly musical person, and her husband, a noted opera singer in his human days, had once described her bath time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-was-not-a-particularly-musical-person-and-her-husband-a-noted/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [It was a constant source of amazement to Alexia that the only thing she had ever done in her entire life that pleased her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/it-was-a-constant-source-of-amazement-to-alexia-that-the-only-thing/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Alexia blinked stupidly at the Beta from around the earl’s upper arm. Her heart was doing crazy things, and she still could not locate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/alexia-blinked-stupidly-at-the-beta-from-around-the-earl-s-upper-arm/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [My friend alexia that I never and I mean never talk to cuz I'm in trouble messsaged me on here today tha she misses…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patience/my-friend-alexia-that-i-never-and-i-mean-never-talk-to-cuz-i-m-in/) Patience > [Why Alexia that is quite beautiful. It does ot reflect your customary taste at all approved Miss Hisselpenny with glee. Trust Ivy to like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/why-alexia-that-is-quite-beautiful-it-does-ot-reflect-your-customary/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [Someone was trying to kill Lady Alexia Maccon. It was most inconvenient, as she was in a dreadful hurry. Given her previous familiarity with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/someone-was-trying-to-kill-lady-alexia-maccon-it-was-most/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“How did that saying go? Alexia wondered. Ah, yes, “Brash as an American.” Well, they had won their independence somehow, and it was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/how-did-that-saying-go-alexia-wondered-ah-yes-brash-as-an-american/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) > [“He was awfully good at being aristocratic. Alexia, on the other hand, was only good at being autocratic. Not quite the same thing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/he-was-awfully-good-at-being-aristocratic-alexia-on-the-other-hand/) [Gail Carriger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-carriger/) [Browse all 21 Alexia quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alexia/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an especially strict governess. This was the kind of woman who took her tea black, smoked cigars after midnight, played a mean game of cribbage, and kept a bevy of repulsive little dogs. Alexia liked her immediately.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gail Carriger" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demeanor-of-an-especially-strict/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Alexia" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-carriger/she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demeanor-of-an-especially-strict/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb5/gail-carriger-1051_battle_she-boasted-the-general-battle-ax-demean_1411579.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“She boasted the general battle-ax demeanor of an especially strict governess. 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