- Chief Inspector Morse: The glass is always half-full to you, isn't it, Lewis?
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: "If you can meet with triumph and disaster, and treat those two imposters just the same".
- Chief Inspector Morse: Kipling.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: No, All England Lawn Tennis Association, sir. It's written up above the players' entrance, Centre Court.
- Chief Inspector Morse: So it is.
- Dr. Laura Hobson, pathologist: [Meeting Morse for the first time] Do you know where I might find a Detective Chief Inspector... looks like "Mouse"?
- Chief Inspector Morse: Morse. Detective Chief Inspector Morse.
- DCI Martin Johnson: [Referring to Morse] What's he doin' here?
- Chief Superintendent Strange: I'm assigning Morse investigating officer on this, Johnson.
- DCI Martin Johnson: [resentful] What's this? Give a dog a bone week?
- Chief Superintendent Strange: I want someone to give me the full picture, not edited highlights.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: Death would have been instant, would it not?
- Chief Inspector Morse: [Annoyed] "Occurred instantaneously", Lewis, or "was instantaneous" if you must. Coffee may be instant, death may not.
- Dr. Laura Hobson, pathologist: Yes, Sergeant, it would have been instant.
- Chief Superintendent Strange: Well, you better walk out of the woods with something more than just a shovel in your hand, matey, or you'll be the laughingstock of Thames Valley.
- Chief Inspector Morse: It won't be the first time.
- Chief Superintendent Strange: No, but it might just be the last!
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: [Surprised as Morse is pulling up] Morning, sir.
- Chief Inspector Morse: [Dryly] Lewis.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: I didn't expect you back in for a few weeks, yeah?
- Chief Inspector Morse: A man can see enough of his own four walls.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Perhaps it's time to go, but be careful what you wish for.
- Detective Sergeant Lewis: How's that?
- Chief Inspector Morse: There's always a price to pay, Lewis... always.
- Chief Inspector Morse: Once upon a time we solved crime with a brain and a notebook. These days it's pie charts and a notebook. The romance is gone.