How we cite our quotes: The book doesn't have numbered or titled chapters, but it is broken up into sections with sub-sections under these. We'll call this Chapter:Section:Paragraph.
Quote #1
What am I saving myself for? she asked herself. What unhappy Bober fate? (2.3.96)
Note the link Helen makes between her family name, Bober, and an unhappy fate. She doesn't know exactly what the future will bring, but she assumes it will not be pleasant. Her choices have the sunny prospects of an Aimee Mann song.
Quote #2
Frank tried things that Morris and she could never do, such as attempting to sell people more than they asked for, and usually he succeeded. (3.3.2)
It's possible the "unhappy Bober fate," as Helen calls it, boils down to her parents' decision long ago to start a business for which they were ill suited. They're not inclined to suggest the super-size. They're not salespeople.