--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You've known him how long?\" Malcolm…" description: "\"“You've known him how long?\" Malcolm asked. \"Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped into Master Chubb's kitchen to steal some pie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg" --- # You've known him how long?" Malcolm asked. "Since he was a… ![“You've known him how long?" Malcolm asked. "Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped into Master Chubb's kitchen to steal some pies." "So, what did you have to say to Will when you caught him stealing these pies? "Oh, I didn't let on I was there. We rangers can be very…” quote by John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg) > ““You've known him how long?" Malcolm asked. "Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped into Master Chubb's kitchen to steal some pies." "So, what did you have to say to Will when you caught him stealing these pies? "Oh, I didn't let on I was there. We rangers can be very unobtrusive when we choose. I remained out of sight and watched him. I thought he might have potential to be a ranger." Halt said. Horace joined in "Why?" Halt answered carefully. "Because he was excellent at moving from cover to cover. Chubb entered 3 times and never noticed him. So i thought that if he could acheive that with no training, he would make a good ranger." "No" Horace spoke. "Thats not what I meant. Why were you hiding in the kitchen in the first place?" "I told you. I was watching Will to see if he had the potential to be a ranger." "Thats not what you said. You said that was the first time you noticed Will." "Does it matter?" "Not really. Were you hiding from chub yourself and Will just turned up by coincidence?" "And why would I be hiding from master Chubb in his own kitchen?" "Well, there were freshly made pies on the windowsill, and you like pies, don't you?" "Are you acusing me of trying to steal those pies?!?!" "No, of course not. I just thought i'd give you the opportunity to confess." After a pause, Halt continued. "You know, Horace, you used to be a most agreeable young man. Whatever happened to you?" "I've spent to much time around you, I suppose." And Halt had to admit that was probably true.”” [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 character observes a boy's stealth and potential, interpreting natural skill as a sign of future suitability for a role. **In simple terms:** Seeing natural talent as a clue to future ability. Key Takeaway Watch for innate abilities before training. Themes observation potential stealth Mood curious reflective Type dialogue character study When to use this quote - team selection - mentor evaluation - training decisions Key Concepts character assessment talent spotting Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance innate talent with development? - When should we intervene in someone's growth? A Different Perspective Natural skill may not guarantee success without guidance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/) [Continued](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/continued/) [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [First time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-time/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Good Ranger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-ranger-3358142/) [Laugh out loud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laugh-out-loud/) [Malcolm Asked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/malcolm-asked-3358140/) [Ranger Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ranger-horace-3358141/) [Ranger-s-apprentice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ranger-s-apprentice/) [Witty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witty/) [Young man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/young-man/) ## Related quotes > [“The the uncertainty was dispelled and the melancholy lifted as he saw a familiar stocky figure moving near one of the tents. "Halt!" he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-the-uncertainty-was-dispelled-and-the-melancholy-lifted-as-he-saw/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Any sign of them yet? he asked. Will looked at him. 'Yes', he said. 'A party of fifty Scotti came though just twenty minutes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/any-sign-of-them-yet-he-asked-will-looked-at-him-yes-he-said-a-party/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Will had been taken aback in his confrontation with Arisaka to discover that his name- Chocho- meant "Butterfly"... He was puzzled to know why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/will-had-been-taken-aback-in-his-confrontation-with-arisaka-to/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“There was a roar of delight from the forward bench, and then the bearlike figure of Nils Ropehander came lumbering down the deck, bellowing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/there-was-a-roar-of-delight-from-the-forward-bench-and-then-the/) [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. 'I have… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/george-horace-said-the-relief-evident-in-his-voice-are-you-all-right/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Butterfly?" Will said. "Why Butterfly?" "I believe it's a term of great respect," Selethen said gravely. He was very obviously not laughing. Too obviously,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/butterfly-will-said-why-butterfly-i-believe-it-s-a-term-of-great/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“If you're a ghost," he said, "we mean you no disrespect. And if you're not a ghost, tell me who you are-or you soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/if-you-re-a-ghost-he-said-we-mean-you-no-disrespect-and-if-you-re-not/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Gundar, seeing Halt upright for the first time in two days, stumped up the deck to join them. 'Back on your feet then?' he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/gundar-seeing-halt-upright-for-the-first-time-in-two-days-stumped-up/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Will saw the first Senshi officer release and instantly knew where the arrow was aimed. 'They've spotted Shigeru!' He was about to turn and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/will-saw-the-first-senshi-officer-release-and-instantly-knew-where/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [ “How do we get there? How did you get here, by the way?' \[Will asked\]. He heard Halt's deep sigh and knew he'd done… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/how-do-we-get-there-how-did-you-get-here-by-the-way-will-asked-he/) [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/) > [“What now?" Lydia asked. "I assume we have a plan B?" He shook his head. "We're way past plan B," he told her. "And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-now-lydia-asked-i-assume-we-have-a-plan-b-he-shook-his-head-we/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Farmers don't nap," he said. "Knights nap." "That's where we get the expression 'a good knight's sleep,'" Will said, smiling at his own wit.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/farmers-don-t-nap-he-said-knights-nap-that-s-where-we-get-the/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Right! Let's get on with it! All right... you... Will... have trained as apprentice to Ranger Halt of Redmont Fief these last five twelvemonths…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/right-let-s-get-on-with-it-all-right-you-will-have-trained-as/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Very well," he said now. "Fighting positions, please, ladies..." "That's debatable," Halt said in an undertone to Will as they stood watchingn. A number…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/very-well-he-said-now-fighting-positions-please-ladies-that-s/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## More by John Flanagan > [What about you three, where are you going?" Even before Halt answered, Will knew what he was going to say. But that didn't make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/what-about-you-three-where-are-you-going-even-before-halt-answered/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“There's a tavern by the docks. He's there most evenings." "Then I'll talk to him tonight," Halt said. "You can try. But he's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/there-s-a-tavern-by-the-docks-he-s-there-most-evenings-then-i-ll-talk/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The sun was trembling on the brink of the world, the shadows at their longest, and they still had several kilometers to go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-sun-was-trembling-on-the-brink-of-the-world-the-shadows-at-their/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [We're going to see Ragnak," Halt told him. "He's going to have to promise to free every slave who fights for Hallasholm." Will shook…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/we-re-going-to-see-ragnak-halt-told-him-he-s-going-to-have-to-promise/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“We must wait," she said. "They are involved in important buisness." Her tone was serious, almost reverntial. 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. "Let's hope you're a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/well-i-m-not-dancing-will-said-through-gritted-teeth-i-don-t-know-how/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [The battle, if you could call it that, lasted no more than a few seconds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/the-battle-if-you-could-call-it-that-lasted-no-more-than-a-few-seconds/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Well, we can ride together for a while longer. The highway south is farther along this way. I'll be glad of some cheerful company."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/well-we-can-ride-together-for-a-while-longer-the-highway-south-is/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [“Does it matter?" Halt asked. Horace shrugged. "Not really, I suppose. I just wondered why you'd gone to the kitchen and why you took…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/does-it-matter-halt-asked-horace-shrugged-not-really-i-suppose-i-just/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Maybe we should have gone with him," he said, a few minutes after his friend was lost to sight. "Three of us would make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/maybe-we-should-have-gone-with-him-he-said-a-few-minutes-after-his/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) > [Best way then is to be waiting for them to bring Halt and the others out of that prison,” he said, almost to himself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/best-way-then-is-to-be-waiting-for-them-to-bring-halt-and-the-others/) [John Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) [Explore all 327 John Flanagan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/) ## More Asked quotes > [“Are you sure?" he asked in a low voice. "Because if I had the chance... I would spend every moment of every day with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-monir/are-you-sure-he-asked-in-a-low-voice-because-if-i-had-the-chance-i/) [Alexandra Monir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-monir/) > [“Who tricked me into this whole thing and leaves me standing here? Who am I? How did I get into the world? Why was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-ren-kierkegaard/who-tricked-me-into-this-whole-thing-and-leaves-me-standing-here-who/) [Søren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-ren-kierkegaard/) > [“The best questions are ones never asked.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cory-molloy/the-best-questions-are-ones-never-asked/) [Robert Cory Molloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cory-molloy/) > [A lot of people think I'm snotty. So what? They never asked me out when I was serving cheeseburgers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-moriarty/a-lot-of-people-think-i-m-snotty-so-what-they-never-asked-me-out-when/) [Cathy Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-moriarty/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [For me to even be talking about bikini confidence is crazy. If you had asked me a couple of months ago, I probably would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordin-sparks/for-me-to-even-be-talking-about-bikini-confidence-is-crazy-if-you-had/) [Jordin Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordin-sparks/) > [Only once have I been made mute. It was when a man asked me, 'Who are you?'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khalil-gibran/only-once-have-i-been-made-mute-it-was-when-a-man-asked-me-who-are-you/) [Khalil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khalil-gibran/) > [The only thing Steve Jobs has ever asked me in all the years we've been together and have been partners, the only thing he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/the-only-thing-steve-jobs-has-ever-asked-me-in-all-the-years-we-ve/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [“A girl likes to be asked, dumbass.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-stover/a-girl-likes-to-be-asked-dumbass/) [Matthew Stover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-stover/) > [I've been asked to school dances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wolfhard/i-ve-been-asked-to-school-dances/) [Finn Wolfhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wolfhard/) > [“Which to you have?' Mel asked, blocking the entry with his body. 'Talent or issues?' I paused for a moment, thought about this. 'Both,'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leila-sales/which-to-you-have-mel-asked-blocking-the-entry-with-his-body-talent/) [Leila Sales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leila-sales/) > [“Did you find someone who makes you feel all those things?” she asked, not wanting to think of her own failed union. He locked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mila-rossi/did-you-find-someone-who-makes-you-feel-all-those-things-she-asked/) [Mila Rossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mila-rossi/) > [Hang on, did you just call me Angel?” I asked. “If I did?” “I don’t like it.” He grinned. “It stays. Angel.” He leaned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/becca-fitzpatrick/hang-on-did-you-just-call-me-angel-i-asked-if-i-did-i-don-t-like-it/) [Becca Fitzpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/becca-fitzpatrick/) > [At first, I asked, Why me? Then I thought, Why not me?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/at-first-i-asked-why-me-then-i-thought-why-not-me/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) [Browse all 2,259 Asked quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asked/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“You've known him how long?\" Malcolm asked. \"Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped into Master Chubb's kitchen to steal some pies.\" \"So, what did you have to say to Will when you caught him stealing these pies? \"Oh, I didn't let on I was there. We rangers can be very unobtrusive when we choose. I remained out of sight and watched him. I thought he might have potential to be a ranger.\" Halt said. Horace joined in \"Why?\" Halt answered carefully. \"Because he was excellent at moving from cover to cover. Chubb entered 3 times and never noticed him. So i thought that if he could acheive that with no training, he would make a good ranger.\" \"No\" Horace spoke. \"Thats not what I meant. Why were you hiding in the kitchen in the first place?\" \"I told you. I was watching Will to see if he had the potential to be a ranger.\" \"Thats not what you said. You said that was the first time you noticed Will.\" \"Does it matter?\" \"Not really. Were you hiding from chub yourself and Will just turned up by coincidence?\" \"And why would I be hiding from master Chubb in his own kitchen?\" \"Well, there were freshly made pies on the windowsill, and you like pies, don't you?\" \"Are you acusing me of trying to steal those pies?!?!\" \"No, of course not. I just thought i'd give you the opportunity to confess.\" After a pause, Halt continued. \"You know, Horace, you used to be a most agreeable young man. Whatever happened to you?\" \"I've spent to much time around you, I suppose.\" And Halt had to admit that was probably true.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Flanagan" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked-since-he-was-a-small-boy-i/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Asked" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked-since-he-was-a-small-boy-i/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b7/john-flanagan-904_asked_you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked_2787978.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You've known him how long?\" Malcolm asked. \"Since he was a small boy. I firs noticed him when he slipped…” — John Flanagan", "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": "John Flanagan", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-flanagan/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“You've known him how long?\" Malcolm...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked-since-he-was-a-small-boy-i/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-flanagan/you-ve-known-him-how-long-malcolm-asked-since-he-was-a-small-boy-i/#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 } } ] } ```