Boys and men are earth and stone,' my mama used to say. 'But you girls, us women, we're water. We can wear away earth and stone, if it comes to it.
-- The Butlers' Mother (chapter 1)

Importance: Althea recalls this quote from her mother, which references the quiet strength and resilience of women. This is particularly relevant to the novel, as the three Butler sisters exhibit their strength by confronting their issues from the past and persevering in the face of tremendous difficulty. It is also significant because it demonstrates that Althea regularly draws strength and inspiration from memories of her mother.

Couldn't have foreseen that I'd find out it all started with one phone call. And I never could've imagined the way I still feel about the caller. That feeling has made me a mother to nobody. And wife? I can't even begin to tell Proctor about that feeling because it would forever...
-- Althea (chapter 1)