How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The kitchen needed apology. There were little frocks and trousers and childish undergarments on the squab and on the floor, and a litter of playthings everywhere. On the black American cloth of the table were pieces of bread and cake, crusts, slops, and a teapot with cold tea. (2.16)
Elizabeth gets her mind off her own troubles by noting (with a certain amount of snobbishness) the poor state of the Rigley home. Apparently they, too, live in kind of depressing circumstances.
Quote #8
The other sat, noting with faint disapproval the general untidiness of the room. Then she fell to counting the shoes of various sizes scattered over the floor. There were twelve. She sighed and said to herself, "No wonder!"—glancing at the litter. (2.19)
Continuing with her less-than-charitable thoughts about the Rigleys' house and circumstances, Elizabeth at least cuts them some slack because they have a large family. How nice. Anyway, the scene contributes to the overall mood of desolation and depression that courses throughout the story.
Quote #9
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. (2.54)
Even when she contemplates the "best case" scenario of Walter's accident—that is, that he is simply injured and not killed—Elizabeth's first instinct is to think about what a pain he would be to nurse before she realizes that perhaps it would be an opportunity for him to get clean. And, you know, he'd still be alive and all . . .