“But best behavior, admirable as its intentions may be, was never meant to last.”

“Don't get me wrong: a happy marriage is wonderful-it's one of the greatest blessings that life can bring. But it's also true that a very great deal of it is tedious and repetitive, and if we women aren't very careful, the best of us can find ourselves turning into a drudge.”

“You know, Fee," said Liam, "I have huge admiration for Lulu and I'm hoping that you and I can be friends, too. But.." He stopped. "Did you ask me about my mother?" he asked. "Yes," said Fee. "Oh," said Liam. "Sorry. I was five, and Freddie was three." "Poor little babies," said Fee. "Five and three, that must have been so hard on all of you. It's a huge credit to your father that you've both grown up so beautifully. Can I ask you another question, Liam?" A little nervously, Liam cleared his throat. "Ask away?" he said. "What on earth," said Fee, "has Lulu been telling you about me?”

“It's [marriage] about two people compromising, said Fee. It's about two people caring for each other and wanting to do as much as they can to make each other happy while still maintaining their own self-respect, which can sometimes get complicated . . . .”

“Sometimes other people do have problems dealing with a strong personality, especially if it comes in a girl, which seems unfair, but I'm afraid it's true.”

“Do you want some help?"said Liam, rising. "No, thanks." She smiled at him, the man without a past with whom she was falling in love, and shook her head. He could help her later, she thought, when she brought down the larger boxes, big box with the theater programs and school yearbooks, and the little leather case that held the fans and the sketches and the pieces of needlework. But first, she would go alone to bring down the letters it would be the last time she would have Grandma Jo to herself. "Thanks, but I want to do this on my own." "Independent family, aren't they?" Liam grumbled to Matthew, sitting down again. "You don't know the half," said Matthew.”

“It was probably as well, she reminded herself sternly: she never seen the point of havinga boyfriend just for the sake of having one, and there were, besides, so very many other questions surrounding her life that the idea of romance was probably too distracting to take on. Neverthless, she thought now it would be nice to be fallen in love with; and to be fallen in lovewith by a handsome man would be positively luxurious.”