Automobile and innsolvent phenomenon
"...the motor vehicle was an insolvent phenomenon like last night's toadstool and, like the fungus, would vanish with tomorrow's sun." The second chapter is about a first car coming to Jefferson, and Lucius talks about his grandfather being forced to buy it. His grandfather didn't take it seriously and thought that automobiles were a phenomenon just for a moment and that they would disappear as quickly as they appeared.
Steam-driven electric plant
It is a metaphor used to describe the first car in Jefferson that was brought in by Mr. Buffaloe. It is a comedic way to describe the machine and it showcases how little the people, Lucius's grandfather included, took the thing seriously. Boon was the exception.
Spilling the beans
Boon spilled the beans what he was up to when he was supposed to be working at the livery stable. He and Mr. Buffaloe were working on trying to figure out the one car that came to Jefferson and how it worked. Mr. Buffaloe took the machine completely apart which made Boon angry and the two confronted each other. Mr. Buffaloe got the machine back together and soon made a car of his own. Boon spilled the beans because he could not hold his excitement in any longer.
Women dealing with death
Lucius discusses the difference between how women deal with death in contrast to men. Women envelop death as something that can't be resisted like cotton batting or cobwebs. Lucius talks about this in connection to when his mother's father died.
Fortune is a fickle jade
Lucius uses this known American proverb to describe Boon's anticipation on his answer whether he wants to be his accomplice in "borrowing" the car while his family is away for the funeral. He describes the fortune as giving more good than one deserves and more bad than one can handle.
Lying like trying to prop a feather upright in a saucer of sand
As a young boy being involved in Boon's scheme Lucius felt conflicted whether or not to agree. He felt guilt for having to lie to everyone. He was afraid of this new world where he has to make decisions. He describes lying as trying to prop a feather upright in a saucer of sand: there is no end to it.
