Marian Brook quotes from The Gilded Age

Agnes van Rhijn

Now you need to know, we only receive the old people in this house. Not the new. Never the new.

Marian Brook

What's the difference?

Agnes van Rhijn

The old have been in charge since before the Revolution. They ruled, justly, until the new people invaded.

Ada Brook

It's not quite as simple as that.

Agnes van Rhijn

Yes, it is.

Marian Brook

Well, I'm new. I've only just arrived.

Agnes van Rhijn

Marian, never mind that the Brooks have been in Pennsylvania for a century and a half. My mother, your grandmother, was a Livingston of Livingston Manor, and they came to this city in 1674. You belong to old New York, my dear, and don't let anyone tell you different. You are my niece, and you belong to old New York.

Money isn't everything.

Marian Brook

It is when you haven't got it.

Agnes van Rhijn

New York is a collection of villages, my dear. We know the people who live in our own village.

Marian Brook

But not the ones who don't.

Oscar van Rhijn

The Russells live in your village, Mama. I could throw a stone from here and break their windows.

Agnes van Rhijn

Don't tease me.

Oscar van Rhijn

I'm not. I'm stating facts.

Agnes van Rhijn

I'm not concerned with facts. Not if they interfere with my beliefs.

Oscar van Rhijn

Why would you want to go to Brooklyn?

Marian Brook

As a matter of fact, I'm thinking of paying someone a surprise visit. She may need cheering up.

Agnes van Rhijn

So should I if I lived in Brooklyn.

Peggy Scott

What are you doing here? And the shoes, what was that? Because we're colored, we must be poor? I loaned you train fare!

Marian Brook

I made a stupid assumption.

Peggy Scott

And you just showed up at my parents' home!

Marian Brook

What's so wrong about that? My aunt lets you live at her house.

Peggy Scott

Lets me? I work there.

Marian Brook

I know.

Peggy Scott

No you don't know anything! About me, about my life, about my situation. I live in a different country from the one you know!

Marian Brook

Look, I'm sorry.

Peggy Scott

Don't be sorry! Just stop thinking you're really my friend.

Agnes van Rhijn

Charity has two functions in our world, my dear. The first is to raise funds for the less fortunate, which is wholly good. The second is to provide a ladder for people to climb into society who do not belong there.

Marian Brook

And that is wholly bad?

Agnes van Rhijn

Not wholly, perhaps, but it should give us pause.

Marian Brook

So Mr. McAllister's opinion is important?

Aurora Fane

Is any of it important?

Agnes van Rhijn

Mrs. Russell has fired her maid.

Marian Brook

I'm amazed. She didn't give a hint of it when I was with her.

Ada Brook

You must have been more eloquent than you realized.

Marian Brook

Will you write to her?

Agnes van Rhijn

Of course I won't write to her! She might write back.

Ada Brook

You must acknowledge the letter. She's done what you asked.

Peggy Scott

[entering] Is there anything that you'd like me to do before you get changed?

Agnes van Rhijn

Please thank Mrs. Russell for this note, but without a trace of warmth.

Agnes van Rhijn

All our staff seem to have pressing engagements outside this house.

Marian Brook

Servants must have a life, Aunt Agnes.

Agnes van Rhijn

Why?

Are you coming to Gladys' ball?

Marian Brook

I may regret it, but I suppose I am.

Then I claim a waltz as my payment.

Agnes van Rhijn

Don't you ever get tired of that wretched tapestry? You're like Penelope waiting for Odysseus to get home.

Marian Brook

Aunt Ada likes needlework.

Agnes van Rhijn

I like ice cream. That doesn't mean I eat it twenty-four hours a day.

Peggy Scott

Have you told your aunts your secret yet?

Marian Brook

No. But I will.

Peggy Scott

When?

Marian Brook

When I can't keep it secret any longer.

Gladys Russell

My father wants me to wait until I fall in love.

Marian Brook

How heartening! I never thought of Mr. Russell as a romantic.

Oscar van Rhijn

Miss Beaton is keen to help spread the Christian word.

Marian Brook

And how does that sit with you?

Oscar van Rhijn

I gladly support good causes from the comfort of Fifth Avenue.

Marian Brook

Are we supposed to applaud our eternal damnation if we have wine with dinner?

Agnes Van Rhijn

My applause was in gratitude that she's finally finished.