How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Sure is some snack," Roy marveled. "You must've hocked your fur coat."
"Gus chipped in," Memo said absently.
He was immediately annoyed. "Is that ape coming up here?"
She looked hurt. "Don't call him dirty names. He is a fine, generous guy." (8.108-11)
Roy's poverty leads to some ugly envy when he sees what others are able to spend. He refers to Memo "hocking" her fur coat, which means taking it to a pawn shop and using it as collateral on a loan. The fact that she didn't make any sacrifice, but rather that Gus was the one who paid the bill, really bugs Roy. He could never afford such a feast.
Quote #8
But supposing he could collect around twenty-five G's—could that amount, to begin with, satisfy a girl like Memo if she married him? (9.33)
Roy's laid up in the hospital, facing the possibility of never being able to play baseball again. He thought he was poor when he was playing, but if he can't even pick up the bat next season he'll really know what poverty means. And that poverty looks even bleaker when he thinks about Memo's requirements for a relationship, which are pretty steep. Lying in bed, Roy has time to think about ways to get that money. That line of thinking isn't leading anywhere good.
Quote #9
"There is one thing you have to understand, Roy, and then maybe you won't want me. That is that I am afraid to be poor." (9.49)
At least she tells it like it is. Memo knows that her greed is unattractive, and recognizes that Roy might not like her anymore if she tells him about it. But her greed, just like Roy's ambition, is based on fear. Give the girl credit for being honest about what it will take for Roy to get her into a relationship.