Arthur Hastings quotes from Agatha Christie's Poirot

Arthur Hastings

I never knew you were so keen on opera, Poirot.

Hercule Poirot

Generally, mon ami, I am not, but the Rigoletto. The father who is jealous. His daughter, she is dishonored, so he plans the murder parfait, but he has failed to understand the psychology. The result, catastrophe. That is what interests me.

Arthur Hastings

Well, it does have a couple of good tunes, I suppose.

There's not the least clue who the victim may be.

Hercule Poirot

It is possible that the surname of the intended victim will begin with the letter B.

That would be something.

Hercule Poirot

I suggest it as a possibility, no more. It came to my mind when I read the signature "A.B.C." on the first letter and again when I heard the name of the unfortunate woman in Andover.

Arthur Hastings

You mean, first a Mrs. Ascher in Andover, then someone beginning with B in Bexhill?

Hercule Poirot

Oui.

James Japp

Well, that's possible, I suppose. I mean, we are dealing with a madman.

Arthur Hastings

But so far he hasn't given us any clue as to his motive.

James Japp

Does a madman have any motive?

Perhaps he's gonna murder someone in every town of the alphabet all the way from Andover to, uh...

Hercule Poirot

Zennor. [off Superintendent Carter's baffled look] I've thought a lot about it, you see.

Nothing like eighteen holes to build up an appetite. You really ought to try it, you know. You might find you actually enjoy it.

Hercule Poirot

To hit a little ball into the little hole, in the middle of a large open field, I think it is not to the taste of Poirot.

Arthur Hastings

Everything was going fine until I made a foolish mistake. I invested in the Pampas de Fernandez Consolidated Railway. Well, they weren't consolidated. They didn't have a railway. And there's a huge mountain range between the two places. I lost just about everything. Poor Bella stayed behind to sell the ranch. I've come over here to find somewhere for us to live. Not that she's said a word against me. She's such a wonderful person. We're still as much in love as the day we met.

Hercule Poirot

When, if I remember correctly, you thought her to be guilty of murder, n'est-ce pas?

Arthur Hastings

Yes, well, since then I think I've learned what makes women tick.

Hercule Poirot

Ah, yes. The ticking of the women. It has always been a mystery to Poirot.

Arthur Hastings

There's nothing like marriage, that's the truth of it. The day I met Bella, it was as if I'd found myself. Ever since, I've been a completely different man.

James Japp

Different man, yes. Could say the same about me, I suppose.

But you're happily married, Chief Inspector.

James Japp

I don't know about that, Miss Lemon. You see, my Emily, she just doesn't understand my work. She never lets me talk about murder at the dinner table. And her tidying! It just gets worse and worse. Sometimes, I wonder how I've lived with her these twenty-seven-and-a-half years.

It's a shame you've never considered marriage, Mr Poirot.

Hercule Poirot

There were occasions, Miss Lemon, when I did have la tentation. The temptation. But now, alas, I think it is too late.

Arthur Hastings

But surely no one could think of murder in such a beautiful place.

Hercule Poirot

No, no, no, no, Hastings. It is romantic, yes. It is peaceful. The sun shines, the sea it is blue. But you forget, mon ami, that there is evil everywhere under the sun.

Hercule Poirot

[after Hastings theorizes that Arlena Stuart was hiding from someone] Hastings, once again, you come up with an explanation that makes everything clear.

James Japp

Not to me it doesn't.

Arthur Hastings

You mean she was afraid of someone?

Hercule Poirot

I mean, Hastings, that there is evil on this island. And the murder that took place here was the work of a mind that was brilliant. But there is one thing the killer did not expect. The mind of Hercule Poirot. Eh bien. It is now time for these two minds to meet, and the truth at last must come to light.

Arthur Hastings

Good God, Poirot, you look awful! I'll go call an ambulance!

Hercule Poirot

No, Hastings. What good would that do? What will be, will be. [after a brief silence] Hastings, do you think God will forgive me?

Arthur Hastings

Why, of course, God will forgive you. You are a good man, Poirot. The best man the world has ever known.