“surely they had passed the worst. All the luck had been against them, but sooner or later even the worst luck changes.”

“All that sunny afternoon, traveling north and east, Caroline believed absolutely in the future. And why not? For if the worst had already happened to them in the eyes of the world, then surely, surely, it was the worst that they left behind them now.”

“He was just a coward and that was the worst luck any many could have.”

“The only sure thing about luck is that it will change. ”

“I expect the worst both from reviewers and sales and then, with any luck, I may be proved wrong.”

“Above all, he liked it that everything was one's own fault. There was only oneself to praise or blame. Luck was a servant and not a master. Luck had to be accepted with a shrug or taken advantage of up to the hilt. But it had to be understood and recognized for what it was and not confused with a faulty appreciation of the odds, for, at gambling, the deadly sin is to mistake bad play for bad luck. And luck in all its moods had to be loved and not feared”