Here she barked out her greetings in Italian, anxious to disassociate herself from the horseless American cowboys and above all from her own kind, the truly lost and unwanted, who move like leaves around the edges of the world, gathering only long enough to wait in line and see if there is any mail
The character is revealing her desire to distance herself from the American way of life, particularly the roguish "cowboys" she associates with. Her greetings in Italian signify her longing for cultural identity and connection, suggesting a need to stand apart from those she deems unsophisticated or aimless. This highlights her internal struggle with belonging and self-perception.
Additionally, she expresses a sense of disconnection from her own people, whom she describes as lost and unwanted. This imagery of people moving like leaves conveys a feeling of aimlessness and transience, as they seem to drift through life without purpose. The mention of waiting in line for mail symbolizes a deeper longing for connection and recognition, emphasizing their existential plight.
