I can not understand the highlighted portion. would you someone please simplify ?

Glick gave her one anyway. “He said, ‘There is a power so organized, so subtle,
so complete, so pervasive, that none had better speak above their breath when they speak in condemnation of it.’ ” “I’ve never heard anything about this.”

“Maybe because in 1921 you were just a kid.” “Charming.” Macri took the jab in stride. She knew her years were showing. At forty-three, her bushy black curls were streaked with gray. She was too proud for dye