Cobalt oxide had been used to create the blue of the petals. She knew such things.
-- Narrator (chapter 2)

Importance: This quotation, which shows Noemí’s thoughts about the chemical makeup of a stained-glass window at High Place, indicates that Noemí is a keen observer and that she is generally interested in delving beneath the surface of things. This proves to be an asset to her at High Place, where she cannot take Catalina’s condition or other odd happenings in the house at face value if she wants to succeed in her mission to make sure Catalina receives proper care. As this stained-glass window displays an image of a flower, Noemí’s thoughts also indicate that she is interested in matters beyond beauty. This is relevant to how she later rejects Virgil’s sexual advances even though she finds him handsome, but pursues Francis, even though she realizes he is not conventionally attractive...