The Sundial

by Shirley Jackson

I may go mad, but at least I look like a lady.

“The experiment with humanity is at an end,” Aunt Fanny said. “Splendid,” Mrs. Halloran said. “I was getting very tired of all of them.”

you talk about dances and parties—I can tell you there’s no heart to anything any more; when you dance with a boy he’s only looking over your shoulder at some other boy, and the only real people left any more are the shadows on the television screens.”