She said this with the complete dignity of someone who believes every word of it.
She said it with the specific dignity of someone who has been being dignified for eighty-six years and who has it exactly right.
The woman stared at her.
Rose turned back to the front.
She reached into her small bag and produced a package of crackers.
She opened the crackers.
She began eating them.
The woman, still red, said: you are unbelievable.
Rose said, to her crackers: I’m going to see the ocean for the first time in my life.
She said it without looking at the woman.
She said it the way you state a fact that is self-evidently more important than whatever else is being discussed.
She said: I’ve waited eighty-six years for this trip. I’m not going to let one rude person ruin it.
She said it to the crackers.
