How we cite our quotes: (Section.Paragraph)
Quote #7
She knew by instinct that her grandmother did not comprehend the gravity of the situation. She must be mistaking the stranger for one of the farmer-lads of the region. (1.10)
Sylvia is especially suspicious of the young man because he seems to be from the city. Sylvia might not be freaking out so hard if it were a fellow nature-kid (someone who lives in as much isolation as she does) but a city-boy is something worth fearing.
Quote #8
He gave her a jack-knife, which she thought as great a treasure as if she were a desert-islander. (1.26)
Slowly but surely, Sylvia begins to warm up to the young man. Her naturally introverted personality prevents her from completely buying into the things he says, however—she's not a savvy consumer of people. Not at first, anyway.
Quote #9
At last, evening began to fall, and they drove the cow home together, and Sylvia smiled with pleasure when they came to the place where she heard the whistle and was afraid only the night before. (1.27)
Now that the man isn't a stranger, Sylvia can look back and laugh at the fear she felt the previous day. Does she not love isolation as much as she thought? Was it wrong of her to give up city life for the isolated natural world?