Name: The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII
Author: Edith Wharton

Quotes from The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (Edith Wharton)

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (1913)

“ She gave an uncertain laugh, and looked up at Ralph as though entreating him to return the reassurance she had given him.
"Of course, of course," he echoed.
He made his mother repeat her statement; but the unforeseen always flurried her, and she was confused and inaccurate. She didn't actually know who had telephoned: the voice hadn't sounded like Mrs. Spragg's... A woman's voice; yes--oh, not a lady's! And there was certainly something about a steamer...but he knew how the telephone bewildered her...and she was sure she was getting a little deaf. Hadn't he better call up the Malibran? ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (1913)

“ Though the nature of his feeling for her had not changed he was aware of a new quality in their friendship. When he went back to his book again his sense of power had lost its asperity, and the spectacle of life seemed less like a witless dangling of limp dolls. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (1913)

“ Ralph wondered how a sane man could sit there, looking responsible and efficient, and talk such rubbish...As he got up to go the lawyer detained him to add: "Of course there's no immediate cause for alarm. It will take time to enforce the provision of the Dakota decree in New York, and till it's done your son can't be taken from you. But there's sure to be a lot of nasty talk in the papers; and you're bound to lose in the end."
Ralph thanked him and left.
He sped northward to the Malibran, where he learned that Mr. and Mrs. Spragg were at dinner. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (1913)

“ Halfway to the Malibran he changed his direction, and drove to the house of the lawyer he had consulted at the time of his divorce. The lawyer had not yet come up town, and Ralph had a half hour of bitter meditation before the sound of a latch-key brought him to his feet. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (1913)

“ As he reached the front door a letter clinked in the box, and he saw his name on an ordinary looking business envelope. He turned the door-handle, paused again, and stooped to take out the letter. It bore the address of the firm of lawyers who had represented Undine in the divorce proceedings and as he tore open the envelope Paul's name started out at him.
Mrs. Marvell had followed him into the hall, and her cry broke the silence. "Ralph--Ralph--is it anything she's done?"
"Nothing--it's nothing." He stared at her. "What's the day of the week?" ”

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Source: Wikisource

Edith Wharton, The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (1913)

“ Yes." Ralph held it out. "It's queer reading. She hasn't hitherto been very keen to have Paul with her."
Mr. Spragg, adjusting his glasses, read the letter slowly, restored it to the envelope and gave it back. "My daughter has intimated that she wishes these gentlemen to act for her. I haven't received any additional instructions from her," he said, with none of the curtness of tone that his stiff legal vocabulary implied.
"But the first communication I received was from you--at least from Mrs. Spragg."
Mr. Spragg drew his beard through his hand. "The ladies are apt to be a trifle hasty. ”

Edith Wharton

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Quotes from The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (Edith Wharton)

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Edith Wharton

Summary

Quotes from The Custom of the Country — Chapter XXXII (Edith Wharton)

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Get perspective with Kwize: daily news enlightened by great literature