"'butter and egg' men": expression for wealthy men or big spenders.

Terpsichorean: of or relating to dancing.

1. Larsen, Nella. Passing. New York: Penguin, 2003.

2. Merriam-Webster, "Online Dictionary". Merriam-Webster Incorporated. <http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary?va=terpsichorean>.

Irene's conversation with Wentworth is interesting in that for the first time we see her accurately and intelligently articulating her feelings. When speaking to Brian or Clare she tends to be persuaded to a point she didn't orignally agree with. What complicates this is the issue of race. Why is it that Irene is more comfortable in discussion with a while male, rather than her black husband, or her black female friend? This point implies that the racial boundary Irene draws is an unsuccessful attempt to comfort herself, because we see that she is uncomfortable and unstable in her relationships within her own race.