"It is my experience that all childhoods have ghosts."
The narrator clearly sets the mood of the novel, and from the start, we as readers understand that the book will go onto discuss the hidden secrets and traumas that both the narrator, but perhaps more importantly, David and Mary Anne Parkin have tried to run away from. The use of 'childhoods' also adds to an emerging theme of youth, and provides context which can be relied upon when the narrator discusses their past experiences and how they link with those of the Parkins.
"As the last noon strike of the steeple’s clock resonated in a metallic echo, the church organ erupted in brilliant sforzando."
This is a monumental moment for Mary Anne as it the moment just before she marries David, and with that, it brings the serious commitments that they must make to each other, a dedication that will come into question later on as the novel explores their relationship with each other. The 'strike of the steeple's clock' is sealing Mary Anne's fate, and the impact of this on her will only be revealed in the penultimate chapter.
"Lawrence closed his hand around the timepiece. His face was hard, yet fearful"
This is the exact moment in which the sudden dread of the responsibility associated with the timepiece that the novel revolves around washes over Lawrence. Up until this point, we have seen Lawrence as a calm and confident character, and yet when he is given power his demeanor changes instantly as he is filled with regret. This causes the reader to reflect upon their own experiences and the challenges that we all face in our lives.
