TGM 4

Finally, the gentleman caller awaits at the door; Amanda prepares everything from new furniture to the food that they will eat. However, Laura realizes Mr. Jim O'Connor is the same as her high school crush. She makes herself sick with her shyness when Amanda makes Laura answer the door. "Why Laura, you are sick, darling( 1271)!" exclaims her mother. Laura is fragile like her glass collection. One false move, and she breaks like her menagerie. She retracts from society due to her timid behavior. Her family has placed her upon a shelf by cradling her throughout her life. Allowing Laura to quit school without consequence, Amanda disregards this behavior. Also, Tom excuses Laura from normalcy due to her handicap. As a result, she never takes action. She stays on her safe shelf until someone comes to break it.