--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Not in the slightest,” Horace said. He…" description: "\"“Not in the slightest,” Horace said. He was grinning now but he did remember that there was a time when he had been distinctly unsure of himself in the..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de6/john-flanagan-904_closest-friends_not-in-the-slightest-horace-said-he-was_2767896.png" --- # Not in the slightest,” Horace said. He was grinning now… ![“Not in the slightest,” Horace said. He was grinning now but he did remember that there was a time when he had been distinctly unsure of himself in the presence of Rangers—first with Gilan and Will in Celtica, then later in company with Halt as they crossed Gallica. Odd to think that now they were…” quote by John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de6/john-flanagan-904_closest-friends_not-in-the-slightest-horace-said-he-was_2767896.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de6/john-flanagan-904_closest-friends_not-in-the-slightest-horace-said-he-was_2767896.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/de6/john-flanagan-904_closest-friends_not-in-the-slightest-horace-said-he-was_2767896.png) > ““Not in the slightest,” Horace said. He was grinning now but he did remember that there was a time when he had been distinctly unsure of himself in the presence of Rangers—first with Gilan and Will in Celtica, then later in company with Halt as they crossed Gallica. Odd to think that now they were his closest friends. “I’ve learned since then. Halt’s really a pussycat,” he added. Will and Gilan both snorted in an unsuccessful attempt to conceal their laughter. Halt’s eyebrow rose fractionally as he regarded the grinning young man. “A pussycat,” he repeated. Svengal had been watching this exchange with interest. Now he joined in with a loud guffaw. “More like a battered old tomcat, I’d have thought,” he said. Halt’s withering gaze swung to the big Skandian, who remained resolutely unwithered. “Everyone’s a comedian all of a sudden,” Halt said. “I think I’ll go to bed.” He exited the room with what little dignity remained to him.”” [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A young apprentice reflects on his growth from insecurity to confidence among seasoned warriors, using humor to mask lingering doubts. **In simple terms:** He’s become more confident but still jokes about his past doubts. Key Takeaway Embrace growth while staying humble. Themes confidence humor growth friendship Mood lighthearted reflective Type narrative dialogue When to use this quote - training sessions - team gatherings - personal reflection - leadership challenges Key Concepts identity self‑esteem peer dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How do jokes reveal hidden doubts? - What steps help turn insecurity into confidence? A Different Perspective Humor may hide deeper insecurities that need addressing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Closest friends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/closest-friends/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [Never take your eyes off them,” Horace said to Gilan, in an admonishing tone. “Didn’t MacNeil ever tell you that?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/never-take-your-eyes-off-them-horace-said-to-gilan-in-an-admonishing/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Do you think you could persuade that horse of yours to stay with the other horses for a minute or two?” he said with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/do-you-think-you-could-persuade-that-horse-of-yours-to-stay-with-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Looks like he's lost a guinea and found a farthing," Horace said, then added, unnecessarily, "Will, I mean." Halt turned in his saddle to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/looks-like-he-s-lost-a-guinea-and-found-a-farthing-horace-said-then/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Halt snorted derisively. "Battleschool evidently isn't what it used to be," he replied. "It's a fine thing when an old man like me can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/halt-snorted-derisively-battleschool-evidently-isn-t-what-it-used-to/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Already, Cullum felt a stirring of interest. The name Horace and the mention of an oakleaf symbol struck a chord in his memory. Sir…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/already-cullum-felt-a-stirring-of-interest-the-name-horace-and-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Will wondered how Horace could be so calm. He was unaware that Horace was asking himself the same question about Will, feeling the same…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/will-wondered-how-horace-could-be-so-calm-he-was-unaware-that-horace/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [What the devil is Chocho?' Will whispered. Horace's grin broadened. 'You are. It's what the men call you,' he said. Then he added, 'It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-the-devil-is-chocho-will-whispered-horace-s-grin-broadened-you/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Bryn looked from Halt to Horace and back again. He saw no pity in either face. "I don't want to," he said in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/bryn-looked-from-halt-to-horace-and-back-again-he-saw-no-pity-in/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Horace’s pulse was racing and adrenaline was surging into his system. But he showed no sign of it. 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Will looked up angrily,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/horace-felt-an-overwhelming-need-to-sneeze-he-tried-to-smother-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [All we could get out of them was that they were taking us to 'Kurokuma'. We didn't know if that was a place or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/all-we-could-get-out-of-them-was-that-they-were-taking-us-to-kurokuma/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“You'll like it less when you hear what they've been building. It's a big raised platform at the end of the square about two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-ll-like-it-less-when-you-hear-what-they-ve-been-building-it-s-a/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [ “George!' \[Horace\] said, the relief evident in his voice. 'Are you all right?' 'No! I am not!' George replied with considerable spirit. 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The two of them stopped, some five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/we-must-wait-she-said-they-are-involved-in-important-buisness-her/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [So I'm an ace?' Will grinned. 'I'm flattered Halt, flattered. I had no idea you regarded me so highly.' Halt gave him a long-suffering…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/so-i-m-an-ace-will-grinned-i-m-flattered-halt-flattered-i-had-no-idea/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Damn! I hate farewells!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/damn-i-hate-farewells/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“They sailed into Raguza and Hal said, as bold as brass, “We’ve come to challenge Zavac and we plan to kick his—”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/they-sailed-into-raguza-and-hal-said-as-bold-as-brass-we-ve-come-to/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Are there bears in these mountains?" he asked. His companion nodded. "Of course. But it's a bit early in the year for them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/are-there-bears-in-these-mountains-he-asked-his-companion-nodded-of/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Well I'm not dancing," Will said through gritted teeth. "I don't know how." Oh yes you are," Alyss told him. 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He was grinning now but he did remember that there was a time when he had been distinctly unsure of himself in the presence of Rangers—first with Gilan and Will in Celtica, then later in company with Halt as they crossed Gallica. Odd to think that now they were his closest friends. “I’ve learned since then. Halt’s really a pussycat,” he added. Will and Gilan both snorted in an unsuccessful attempt to conceal their laughter. Halt’s eyebrow rose fractionally as he regarded the grinning young man. “A pussycat,” he repeated. Svengal had been watching this exchange with interest. Now he joined in with a loud guffaw. “More like a battered old tomcat, I’d have thought,” he said. 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