How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"I've given you all the money I have." Tears glistened in her white-ringed eyes. Her voice was hoarse, vibrant. "I've thrown myself on your mercy, told you that without your help I'm utterly lost. What else is there?" She suddenly moved close to him on the settee and cried angrily: "Can I buy you with my body?" (6.68)
Brigid appears to be desperate now. She has run out of money and needs Spade's protection, yet won't be completely honest about why she wants his help. We don't blame Spade for being suspicious, but we can't help wondering why Brigid is so afraid to tell the truth.
Quote #8
"What makes you think I wasn't home?" she asked slowly.
"Nothing except that I know you weren't."
"But I was, I was." Her lips twisted and anger darkened her eyes. "Effie Perine told you that," she said indignantly. "I saw her looking at my clothes and snooping around. You know she doesn't like me, Sam. Why do you believe things she tells you when you know she'd do anything to make trouble for me?"
"Jesus, you women," Spade said mildly. (11.27)
Iva comes off as yet another manipulative female liar in this scene when she accuses Effie of trying to turn Spade against her. Iva's jealousy leads her to do spiteful things (like sending the police to Spade's apartment), and she seems to be overly clingy and attached to Spade. But at the same time, Spade is unusually cold with her, even though he's sleeping with her. So who's to say whether Iva or Spade is more flawed in this scenario?
Quote #9
Effie Perine was sitting at her desk when he opened the door. He said: "You ought to know better than to pay attention to me when I talk like that."
"If you think I pay any attention to you you're crazy," she replied, "only"—she crossed her arms and felt her shoulders, and her mouth twitched uncertainly—"I won't be able to wear an evening gown for two weeks, you big brute." (12.62)
Right before this exchange between Effie and Spade, Spade had violently twisted Effie's arm in reaction to the news of Brigid's disappearance. Spade feels guilty for his behavior, but Effie extends a little female tenderness by forgiving him for his angry outburst.