How we cite our quotes: (Story.Paragraph)
Quote #1
The whiskey they drank that evening (two big bottles of it) is important. Otherwise, it would be hard to account for what followed. (Ballad.34)
That's the narrator's excuse, remember, but not necessarily Miss Amelia's reasoning as to why she ultimately invited Lymon in.
Quote #2
Imagine that the whiskey is the fire and that the message is that which is known only in the soul of a man—then the worth of Miss Amelia's liquor can be understood. (Ballad.34)
The purity-through-fire business reminds us of the burnt-and-sanitized needle Miss Amelia uses for her stitches when doctoring.
Quote #3
Later, they said among themselves that she must have been drinking back in the swamp the better part of the afternoon. (Ballad.38)
Again, folks blame it on the a a a a a alcohol.