“Men often talked about a woman's intuition. Ostensibly it sounded complimentary and yet its intention was usually patronising and dismissive: a term for irrational flights of fancy that these silly creatures would occasionally dream up from nowhere. Sarah understood the true nature of what they were describing. It was not irrational, and nor was it a mystical sixth sense resultant of a unique feminine sensitivity. It was a simple, practical consequence of observation. When you put them in a room, women paid attention to the subtle signs people were sending, while the men concerned themselves only with the impression they were making.” WomenIntuitionObservation Book:The Art of Dying Source: The Art of Dying
“Sarah had been speaking the truth when she said she didn’t dislike him, but she did dislike his presumption of superiority over her, as she disliked it in all young men. Given the same chance, she was confident she would excel over any of them, so it stung when all they saw was a housemaid. Out of necessity, Raven was looking beyond that. Or at least she was offering him the occasion to. She hoped he didn’t disappoint.” Self EsteemWill RavenSarah Fisher Book:The Way of All Flesh Source: The Way of All Flesh
“Wouldn’t it calm your spirits to be reading a book instead?’ Sarah suggested. Mina’s expression indicated that this was a notion so self-evident as to be stupid, and was about to explain why. ‘Of course I would rather be reading. I would spend all my days reading if I could. But for reasons passing understanding, embroidery is considered a desirable accomplishment in a prospective wife, and therefore it is incumbent upon me to master it, such is my lot. So for pity’s sake, bring tea or I shall run mad.” ReadingLove Of Books Book:The Way of All Flesh Source: The Way of All Flesh
“She had a purple shawl wrapped around her shoulders and her hair was loosely tied at the nape. Hill stepped back and examined her from several angles before announcing that he was content. He implored her to remain as still as possible, looking pointedly at Raven. Sarah exhibited no similar difficulty, remaining entirely immobile as though she had fallen into an open-eyed trance. She was not the only one. Raven found himself gazing rapt at her face, the paleness of her skin, the golden highlights in her hair. A sense of tranquility settled upon him, as though the serenity of her stillness had somehow been transferred to him. ‘You seem transfixed,’ observed Hill quietly, walking past. ‘A pity you could not have held such a pose earlier.” LovestruckWill RavenSarah Fisher Book:The Way of All Flesh Source: The Way of All Flesh
“James Matthew Duncan, he decided, was going to be insufferable. He had the bearing of a young man who had never been punched full in the face for an unguarded remark, and Raven instinctively felt he might be the one to remedy that.” Will RavenBackpfeifengesicht Book:The Way of All Flesh Source: The Way of All Flesh