From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler Truth Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"You might say that I'm honest about everything except cards. For some reason I'm helpless about cheating at cards." (9.113)

There's a difference between telling the truth about what matters and telling the truth about silly little things. Jamie's an honest kid, but he's a slimy card player. It's okay. We still like him.

Quote #8

Just as they had lost all their feelings of urgency, they had also lost all thoughts of me. Finding a secret can make everything else unimportant, you know. (9.200)

They say the truth can set you free. In Claudia and Jamie's case, the truth about Angel makes them lose sight of all the other things they were worrying about, like running away or money or what in the world they're going to say to their parents when they get home.

Quote #9

"But, Mrs. Frankweiler, if there is the slightest doubt that either the statue or the sketch is a forgery, don't you want to know? Don't you want that last little bit of doubt cleared up?"

"No," I answered abruptly. (9.244-245)

Mrs. Frankweiler's version of the truth is what she already knows, deep inside her old heart. She doesn't really care what other people think. Seriously, at that age, you probably don't care if you leave your house in a bathrobe.