A strange sense of unreality washed over me, and I eyed her with disbelief. No one had ever incited me for a drive before, so why the dickens would Clarence Wilcox want to?
-- Eleanor (Chapter 4 paragraph 41)

Importance: As the novel gets underway, events both normal and unnatural, begin to speed along. One such event is Clarence's apparent interest in Eleanor, who has never before been desired by a man in any way. The carriage ride she has pending with Clarence excites her, and makes her wonder about why Clarence would want to do something so public with her.

Even the greatest feats of man lose their luster when one’s head is filled with storm clouds.
-- Eleanor (Chapter 5 paragraph 52)

Importance: As Eleanor heads through the Exhibition Hall at the Centennial, all of the amazing inventions and machines around her do not ensnare her imagination or capture her attention, for she is too worried about her brother. And beyond...