Question

In this excerpt from Alice Gerstenberg’s Fourteen, which lines reflect the idea of how fickle, or quick to change their minds, some people can be?
ELAINE: [Following.] But mother, wasn’t it nice of Oliver Farnsworth to send a Prince in his place?

MRS. PRINGLE: Didn’t I always say that Oliver Farnsworth was the most considerate of men?

ELAINE: I think I shall like Mr. Farnsworth.

MRS. PRINGLE: Silly child! It is too late now to like Mr. Farnsworth. It’s time now to like the Prince. [Starting out.] I always manage somehow to be the most successful of hostesses! Thank God for the blizzard!

Answer 1

Answer: MRS. PRINGLE: Didn’t I always say that Oliver Farnsworth was the most considerate of men?

It is too late now to like Mr. Farnsworth. It’s time now to like the Prince.

It’s time now to like the Prince.

Explanation:

These are the lines that show how fickle or quick to change their minds some people (in this case Mrs. Pringle) can be. Super confusing question. Once you think about it, she indicates her positive view of him, then changes her mind that she doesn't like him and rather likes the prince.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Answer:

MRS. PRINGLE: Silly child! It is too late now to like Mr. Farnsworth. It’s time now to like the Prince.

Explanation:

I think Mrs PRINGLE is a good example of how fickle and quick to change their mind some people are with this comment to Elaine because royalty is involved, she quickly discards the idea of Elaine liking Mr Farnsworth in favor of the Prince.