Alyss Quote by John Flanagan
““Halt eyed them balefully. They were all being so obvious about not mentioning his sudden reappearance that it was even worse than if they had commented on it... 'Oh, go on!' he said. 'Somebody say something! I know what you're thinking!' 'It's good to see you up and about, Halt,' Selethen said gravely... Halt glared at the others and they quickly chorused their pleasure at seeing him back to his normal self. But he could see the grins they didn't quite manage to hide. He fixed a glare on Alyss. 'I'm surprised at you Alyss,' he said. 'I expected no better of Will and Evanlyn, of course. Heartless beasts, the pair of them. But you! I thought you had been better trained!'... 'Halt, I'm sorry! It's not funny, you're right... Shut up, Will.' This last was directed at Will as he tried, unsuccessfully, to smother a snigger.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lost Stories, The Ranger’s Apprentice, 2008
A character confronts others about their superficial reactions, exposing hidden tensions and expectations within a group.
In simple terms: People often hide true feelings behind jokes.
Key Takeaway
Address underlying tensions directly.
Themes
communication
trust
group dynamics
honesty
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
literary
dialogue
When to use this quote
- team meetings
- friend gatherings
- leadership discussions
- mediations
Key Concepts
social psychology
conflict resolution
Questions to Reflect On
- What unspoken concerns are being avoided?
- How can honesty improve group cohesion?
A Different Perspective
Humor can mask deeper issues.
