How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"No," she said, "not to me. It was chrysanthemums when I married him, and chrysanthemums when you were born, and the first time they ever brought him home drunk, he'd got brown chrysanthemums in his button-hole." (1.76)
When Annie asks Elizabeth if she likes the smell of chrysanthemums, Elizabeth answers with a big fat no. Apparently, among other things, that smell reminds her of the first time her husband was carried home drunk. Seems reasonable they wouldn't have the best connotations, then.
Quote #8
". . . And this is what I came here for, to this dirty hole, rats and all, for him to slink past his very door. Twice last week—he's begun now—." (1.78)
Ah, yes, now we get a sense of why Elizabeth just assumes that her husband is late because he's off drinking—he did the same thing twice last week.
Quote #9
Elizabeth's thoughts were busy elsewhere. If he was killed—would she be able to manage on the little pension and what she could earn? —she counted up rapidly. If he was hurt—they wouldn't take him to the hospital—how tiresome he would be to nurse! —but perhaps she'd be able to get him away from the drink and his hateful ways. She would—while he was ill. The tears offered to come to her eyes at the picture. (2.54)
Before she learns of his death, Elizabeth contemplates a scenario in which she might be called on to help nurse him back to health, which could involve getting him off the sauce. Although she laments that he would be a pain to nurse, she also seems attracted to the idea of helping him reform a bit.