How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Title.Paragraph)
Quote #10
I lie back against my pillow and spend a long time silently repeating them to myself, over and over and over again like a litany, but it's no use. Mamma said I would know. And I do. I guess I have all along.
"Poor, sad, stupid Grace," I whisper to the darkness. "Poor, sad, stupid Matt." (37.21-22)
Grace convinced herself that Chester loved her, but in one of the last letters she wrote, she reveals that she's aware he doesn't love her at all, and Mattie has tried to convince herself Royal loves her, but she knows the truth. Yet another way that Grace helps Mattie on her path to college. For marriage without love would not be worth the sacrifice of herself to Mattie.
Quote #11
My fingers trembled as I undid the string. What had he chosen for me? What could it be? An Austen or a Bronte? Maybe a Zola or a Hardy?
I opened the paper and saw that it was a Farmer. Fannie Farmer. A cookbook. […]
"It ain't new, only secondhand. Got it at Tuttle's. It's got different sections, see? Meats and poultry ... baked things..."
I could see in his eyes he wanted me to like it. I could see that he'd tried and it only made it worse. (40.ideal.48-49, 52-53)
Royal and Mattie had a pretty big fight before her birthday about his pushing Emmie Hubbard off her land, and he tries to make it up to her by getting her a cookbook. Think about the anticipation Mattie has before she knows the gift: she's giddy and hopeful that there's more depth to Royal than he's previously let on… but then comes the big reveal.
Mattie realizes that even though Royal tried to do right by her, the only thing he could think of to give her is a book that further cements the traditional role of womanhood in marriage, revealing that he doesn't know her at all. He will never know Mattie.