1.That's the whole trouble, our stupid, small-town way of doing things, always under cover.

【难句释义】Eve thought it was childish that her mother tried to cover this up by sending Thelma away as if what she and Stephen wanted to do was some kind of a scandal.

【难句解析】small-town way of doing things:People from small towns are often thought ill-informed, narrow-minded, and ridiculously conservative.

2. But at what a cost, child — at what a cost!

【难句释义】Mrs.Kent believed that Eve would have to pay heavily if she went out with Stephen. It would cause a big scandal and turn the young couple into some kind of social outcasts.