“Claire spoke often in her poetry of the idea of "fittingness": that is, when your chosen pursuit and your ability to achieve it--no matter how small or insignificant both might be--are matched exactly, are fitting. This, Claire argued, is when we become truly human, fully ourselves, beautiful....In Claire's presence, you were not faulty or badly designed, no, not at all. You were the fitting receptacle and instrument of your talents and beliefs and desires.”

“Were you serious when you said I might win someday at Wimbledon?"Claire answered, "There's so much that's pure luck, good or bad. The weather can be terrible. We always say we should re-schedule Wimbledon and hold it in the summer!"I frowned. "Wimbledon is in the summer."Claire sighed. "It's a joke, Fiona.""Oh.”

“I liked you a lot better when you were messing up her lip gloss instead of her mascara--Claire”

“Wait and see," Claire said excitedly. "Your husband will not be able to resist you."Grace hoped Claire was right.Since the night he had kissed her in the drawing room after their disastrous dinner party,he had done a magnificent job of exactly that.”

“Your education or your life, Claire. I'd rather you be alive and a little bit dumber.”

“Claire: Once your baby arrives, the world is no more the same than you are. Because from our very bodies we add to the collective human destiny.”