"Besides," she continued, "according to the weather forecasts, you may soon be returned home to San Antonio by the strength of some Gulf winds!" This excerpt effectively uses irony to illustrate the theme .

1.) by emphasizing the conflict about the weather forecasts between the mother and her daughter
2.)through illustrating the different ways that the mother and daughter perceive the way that time will affect the weather situation
3.)through stating that the mother has forgotten the girls have taken seasonal weather forecasts into account before planning their trip
4.)by using humor when the mother suggests an exaggerated version or her previous statements about the weather reports