“Edward can do everything, right?" I explained.Jasper snickered and Esme gave Edward a reproving look. "I hope you haven't been showing off-it's rude," she scolded."Just a bit," he laughed freely."He's been too modest actually," I corrected."Well, play for her," Esme encouraged."You just said showing off was rude," he objected."There are exceptions to every rule," she replied.”

“I've got so much to do! Go play with Edward. I have to get to work."She dashed out of the room, yelling,"Esme!" as she disappeared.”

“She does know we're coming, right?' I ask.'Well...' He hems and haws a bit. 'Not exactly.'Laney immediately smacks the back of his head. 'Jake! You mean we're showing up unannounced? That is so rude!''What if she isn't there? What are we going to do?' I smack him once, too, for good measure. 'What is *wrong* with you?''Can we please stop with the abuse?”

“Her grandmother keeps announcing that Esme will never find a husband if she doesn't change her ways. Yesterday, when she said it at breakfast, Esme replied "Good" and was sent to finish her meal in the kitchen.”

“Briony said reasonably, 'How can you hate plays?''It's just showing off.' Pierrot shrugged as he delivered this self-evident truth.”

“What’s wrong? Has Francis been rude? Then you must try to overlook it. I know you wouldn’t think so, but he is thoroughly upset by Tom Erskine’s death; and when Francis is troubled he doesn’t show it, he just goes and makes life wretched for somebody.”