"What began it all was the bright bone of a dream I could hardly hold onto." Chap. 1, Asian Rumors, P. 21

"I remember the wedding ..." Chap. 2, A Fine Romance, p. 36

"The Wall Street crash had a terrible effect on us. Many of the horses had to be taken over by the military." Chap. 2, A Fine Romance, p. 48

"Mervyn has dropped dead. What shall I do? Maureen." Chap. 2, A Fine Romance, p. 59

"The Sinhalese are beyond a doubt one of the least musical people in the world. It would be quite impossible to have less sense of pitch, line or rhythm." Chap. 3, Don't Talk to Me about Matisse, p. 76

"'How is David? Is he alright?' 'Quiet well, darling,' Lalla says. 'He is in the next room having a cup of tea.'" Chap. 4, Eclipse Plumage, p. 109

"My Grandmother died in the blue arms of a jacaranda tree. She...