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1 " I always think the opening moments of a party are the hardest, before everyone has had enough to drink. "
― , Everybody Rise
2 " The world always said to just be yourself, but it turned out when Evelyn was herself, no guys were at all interested, so she was left with games of make-believe, expressing enthusiasm for whatever the men wanted to do, be it rock climbing or going to a cheese-beer pairing or a Knicks game. "
3 " Last summer had meant lots of Sam Adams Summer Ale by herself on hot weekend days when it seemed like just her and the Dominican Day parade. "
4 " She tried to do what the Equinox yoga instructor said to do and thank each thought for coming then let it float away, but the thoughts were not floating away and she couldn't force them away, not even here, where she was supposed to be able to escape. "
5 " . . . without any actual aristocracy in America, the best those who wanted to be upper class could do was create systems of exclusivity and codes of conduct. "
6 " It required an enormous amount of energy and time just to do errands like getting groceries. She was always sweaty after she got groceries. "
7 " Who are you trying to impress? You're twisting yourself into knots trying to fit in with this crowd. It isn't worth it. "
8 " I just wanted to be open and honest, and being open and honest is a practice rather than a quality. "
9 " Barbara rearranged herself on the blanket, and the crowd howled a mass downward arpeggio when Enfield took the ball back. It’s all right, it’s okay, you’re gonna work for us someday, rose the cheer from the Sheffield side. "
10 " Evelyn leaned toward the Amtrak window, searching for the TRENTON MAKES, THE WORLD TAKES sign, which she always looked for on the ride back to New York. She knew now that Trenton was a run-down Jersey city, "
11 " They were staying at the Plaza Hotel and, immediately after arrival, went to tea. At afternoon tea—never call it high tea, Barbara had said—Evelyn showed off what she and Barbara had been practicing at home. "
12 " She had been waiting, she thought. Always waiting. In New York, waiting for her life to be replaced by some other, more interesting life on offer. Waiting for money that she felt ought to be hers to flood in and elevate her position, from some male source... "
13 " She summahs in Lake James, how mahvelous "
14 " I'm just saying that money is made in so many more interesting ways now. "
15 " I made my money and can spend it as I want, just as you can spend the money you make as you want. "
16 " Evelyn let Camilla, as the higher-status person, extend her had first, a Babsism she remembered. "
17 " She had tried. She had fought. And she had lost. "
18 " ...The scene I was in. It was just so much. I don't think you realize. The money it took. The competition over the invitations. The parties....It sounds ridiculous, saying it out loud, because it's just parties, but it mattered to me. Then. It was a place. It seemed solid. I couldn't keep up. "
19 " ...I know I asked, but I don't want to know. I do want to know, but I don't want to know. It doesn't matter. If it's not Tayeb whoever, it'll be something else, and I'd always be playing catch-up. I was always playing catch-up. "
20 " Charlotte had enough money -- had always had enough money -- that she didn't have to worry about her behavior. "