“It was like a slap. I dont remember her being mean before that. It made Miranda smile. The smile that unlocked something in Beth like a key”

“Bacon's on the way." He smiled. "Hey, they like you!"Wrath to Beth after the brother's bow to her.”

“… not like any smile i had ever experienced before. but such a smile! you could burn a hole in the world with that smile”

“I like it when my mother smiles. And I especially like it when I make her smile.”

“Danny smiles. Really smiles--like it means a lot that I'm not mad at him anymore. And then I figure out something weird: that you can be important to someone who doesn't mean much to you. But that once you find that out--that you mean something to them--it's hard not to feel that they mean something to you.”

“Ann turns to me. I know she's waiting for some hint of kindness-a kiss, an embrace, even a smile. But I can't muster any of it."You'll make a fine governess." My words are like a slap."I know," she answers, a slap of her own.”