Senator Stanton? The man who’s sold his own soul so many times that no one can figure out who actually owns it? - M. K. Hobson

The obsessive rules of etiquette struck Emily as mean-spirited, like the old trick of tying someone’s shoelaces under the table. It was only fun if you liked watching people fall down.

The shortness of the woman’s replies indicated that Emily was asking questions Miss Jesczenka didn’t particularly want to answer, but those were usually the questions that most needed to be asked.

I’d ask you to forego the jingoistic claptrap, but it’s terrifyingly obvious you truly believe it.