“People who are chronically tardy never understand the many ways in which they screw up the schedules of people who are punctual and 'normal'...”

“She gasped again,this time from fear of heights."Breathe," Bill coached her. "More people pass out up here from panicking over not getting enough oxygen than from actually not getting enough oxygen.”

“This is not what I had in mind," she muttered to Bill,who was hovering,always,on the rim of the cupboard next to her washtub. She still wasn't used to being the only one in the kitchen who could see him. It made her nervous every time he hovered over other members of the staff,making dirty jokes that only Luce could hear and no one-besides Bill-ever laughed at."You children of the millenium have absolutely no work ethic," he said. "Keep your voice down,by the way."Luce unclenched her jaw. "If scrubbing this disgusting soup tureen had anything to do with understanding my past, my work ethic would make your head spin. But this is pointless." She waved a cast iron skillet in Bill's face.Its handle was slick with pork grease. "Not to mention nauseating.”

“Loneliness in a crowd of people was the worst kind of loneliness, but she couldn't help it.”

“You may not believe it,but there are many who wish to wield the power that I wield.Who...adore me.""You're right.I don't believe you.""You just don't know enough.About anything. I've taken you on a tour of your past-shown you the futility of this existence,hoping to awaken you to the truth,and all I get from you is 'Daniel! I want Daniel!”

“Your past self's family was rich. Filthy rich.You'll see when you meet her.She goes by Lucinda and thinks your nickname is an absolute abomination, by the way." Bill pinched his nose and lifted it hight in the air,giving a pretty laughable imitation of a snob. "She's rich, yes,but you, my dear, are a time-traveling intruder who knows not the ways of this high society. So unless you want to stick out like a Manchester seamstress and get shown the door before you even get to have a chat with Lucinda, you need to go undercover. You're a scullery maid. Serving girl. Chamber-bot changer. It's really up to you.Don't worry,I'll stay out of your way.I can disappear in the blink of an eye.”

“And while Luce dreamed below of the most glorious wings unfurling-the likes of which she'd never seen before-two angels in the rafters shook hands.”