“...she starched and ironed her face, forming it into just what people wanted to see...”

“I’ll be washed and ironed. I’ll be washed and ironed and starched.”

“We've got work to do. Strip." "Strip for what?" "I'm going to measure you for your dress. Strip!" Rachel saved me…sort of. "You can do her measurements with her clothes on, Mamma," she chastised. "Oh, I know I can." She pointed at me. "But look at her face! Ha! I just wanted to see her face pucker up like that.”

“Her heart's too hurt...you frightened her. And she's such a straight lady--she sees shame where some of us just see people.”

“A kind Providence furnishes the limpest personality with a little gum or starch in the form of tradition.”

“This softening she sees in me isn't enough to make me affectionate, but it's just enough to render me inept. I can't give her what she wants — virtuousness — or what she needs — protection.”