I donโt mind the disapproving ones so much. Itโs the tolerant ones I canโt stand, the ones who smile at Rose, who speak to her ever so slowly and gently. They donโt realize how very intelligent Rose really is. Theyโre just terrifically pleased with themselves. Look at me! they all but shout. See how broad-minded I am! How wonderfully progressive, how fantastically twentieth century!
Franny BillingsleyI don't like my shoes,' said Rose. 'I'm wearing my shoes and you don't see me complain.' 'You only hear a person complain,' said Rose. 'Not see.' How has Rose lived for seventeen years and no one has killed her, not once?
Franny BillingsleyHeโs harmless, poor thing. Thatโs what everyone said. It was true, but who cares? Lots of people are harmless, but that doesnโt mean I have to like them.
Franny BillingsleyItโs one thing if a person learns youโre a witch. Itโs quite another if he learns youโre a murderer. I almost forget Iโm a witch now that I know Iโm a murdererโmurderess, actually. Murderess sounds so much worse.
Franny BillingsleyIt is true that I can trip over anything and nothing โ a speck of dust, a patch of sunlight, an idea. I move through life like a person with one eye, through a landscape that looks flat, but is really tricked out with hidden depths and shallows. It didnโt use to be so, but no matter. I navigate the world well enough in my own way.
Franny Billingsley