"Yet of my mother's death, whatever I try, just a single flicker, dim and hurtful, ever is called back," (p.9)

"The very floor of the Smith River Valley rests one full mile above sea level," (p. 22)

"Two deep Caledonian notions seem to have pulled them so far into the hills: to raise sheep, and to graze them on mountain grass which cost nothing," (p.23).

"In White Sulphur Springs there was steady thirsty commerce no matter how the bartender behaved," (p. 58).

"Sheep being sheep, not all ewes had the idea that they were supposed to be ready to mother their lambs," (p.162)

"She would sniff the baby imposter endlessly, distrustful but pulled by the blood-scent of her own," (p. 163).

"Then ewe and lamb were each stamped, in blotty digits about 5 inches high, with a number that showed they belonged to each other," (p. 162).

"She was silent then a long...