Michael Cunningham Quote

She always surprises you this way, by knowing more than you think she does. Louis wonders ifthey're calculated, these little demonstrations of self-knowledge that pepper Clarissa's wise, hostessyperformance. She seems, at times, to have read your thoughts. She disarms you by saying, essentially,I know what you're thinking and I agree, I'm ridiculous, I'm far less than I could have been and I'd likeit to be otherwise but I can't seem to help myself. You find that you move, almost against your will,from being irritated with her to consoling her, helping her back into her performance so that she canbe comfortable again and you can resume feeling irritated.