“It seemed to him that he could never get a proper grip on any of the beauty in this world.”

“It seemed to him that every time he made one choice in his life, he said no to another. All of those things he could not do or be were huddled inside of him; they might spring up at any moment, and he would be hobbled with regret.”

“I have looked at my father many times and wondered how he could stand knowing he was my mother’s ruin. He was too weak to leave her. Mother should have thrown him out and saved them both, like Sissy was saving the two of us.”

“The Lord brings us into this world naked, but I don’t suppose he means us to stay that way”

“I try to find the beauty in things. On dark days I sit in my armchair looking at clouds and I am awed at how rain is made.”

“At last, her mother and sisters exited the station and came to stand next to her. “Mama,” Hattie said. “I’ll never go back. Never.”

“I wonder if the brass understands that people are getting killed.”