“Europe has another meaning for me. Every time I mention that word, I see the Bosnian family in front of me, living far away from whatever they call home and eating their own wonderful food because that's all that is left for them. The fact remains that after fifty years, it was possible to have another war in Europe; that it was possible to change borders; that genocide is still possible even today.”

“Living does mean accepting the loss of one joy after another, not even joys in her case, mere possibilities of improvement.”

“After years of seeing the world in absolutes, he has taught me how to pick out all the shades of possibilities.”

“With all the insolence she swallowed, it was a wonder her corsets still laced. Retort after rejoinder after sharp-edged remark: Why do you address me? What can I possibly have to say to a man who would split a pair of fives? Be quiet. Go to sleep. Go away. Come back when you have another erection.”

“And I am going to have another opportunity. I am going to have a week-end with him at his home in Easton, a week-end with Wells at home, with just his family. That alone is worth the entire trip from Los Angeles to Europe.”

“The purpose of a college education is to give you the correct view of minorities, and the means to live as far away from them as possible.”