He wasn't as big as that. In fact, he never became as big as the wide-stretched arms of her love and imagination would have had him.”
-- Narrator (chapter 1 paragraph 6)

Importance: Dirk's nickname is Sobig because of this exchange he has with his mother, Selina. He stretches his arms as wide as he can, saying this is how big he is. This is very early in the story but it's an indication that Selina's dreams for Dirk won't come true.

There sprang to life between the boy of twelve and the woman of nineteen an electric current of feeling.”
-- Narrator (chapter 3 paragraph 32)

Importance: This is the first time Selina and Roelf meet and they sense kindred spirits in the other from that first introduction. This is borne of their love of beauty and their need to find adventure in their lives.

I won't come down to dressing behind the kitchen stove like a – like a peasant in one of...
-- Selina (chapter 4 paragraph 7)