" People arrived and there was eating, drinking, dancing and misunderstandings between all the couples, married and unmarried. Frank
Schwake wouldn’t talk to his wife, Jean. Jim Collins quarreled in a corner with his wife, Sheila. There was still a coolness between Alberta and me and between Brian and Joyce. Other couples were affected and there were islands of tension all over the apartment. The night would have been ruined except for the way we all united against an outside danger. "

― Frank McCourt , 'Tis