How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Spade, who had held his breath through much of this speech, now emptied his lungs with a long sighing exhalation between pursed lips and said: "You won't need much of anybody's help. You're good. You're very good. It's chiefly your eyes, I think, and that throb you get into your voice when you say things like, 'Be generous, Mr. Spade.'" (4.39)
Brigid appeals to Spade's masculine strength by begging him to help poor little helpless her. She tells him a sob story of all the things she's had to struggle through, but Spade isn't buying it. He sarcastically commends her on her fine acting ability, that "throb" in her voice" and the effective use of her doe-eyes. Most guys would probably be swooning at Brigid's feet at this point, but Spade is no sucker.
Quote #5
"You're an invaluable angel. How's your woman's intuition today?"
"Why?"
"What do you think of Wonderly?"
"I'm for her," the girl replied without hesitation. (4.123)
Effie is the only female character in the novel who doesn't use her femininity to manipulate and deceive. Her sensible nature is what allows Spade to trust her judgment and he frequently appeals to her "feminine intuition" for advice. Surprisingly, Effie is in favor of Brigid, which seems important since Effie thinks that Iva is a louse. Why does Effie approve of Brigid even though she's a liar?
Quote #6
"You aren't," he asked as he sat down, "exactly the sort of person you pretend to be, are you?"
"I'm not sure I know what you mean," she said in her hushed voice, looking at him with puzzled eyes.
"Schoolgirl manner," he explained, "stammering and blushing and all that."
She blushed and replied hurriedly, not looking at him: "I told you this afternoon that I've been bad—worse than you could know."
"That's what I mean," he said. "You told me that this afternoon in the same words, same tone. It's a speech you've practiced." (6.35)
Spade isn't afraid to call Brigid out when she's lying to him. Brigid is of course not used to men being able to resist her charms. Her normal tricks won't work, the stammering, blushing school girl act and her pretty speeches have absolutely no effect on Spade at all. So why is Spade able to see through Brigid's deception?