How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
Midmorning of my second day of servitude, Olive joined us in the kitchen. "I'm hungry," she said, although breakfast had been only an hour earlier. "Make me a white cake… No, I want Ella to do it." She stood at my side while I measured and mixed. "Talk to me." (23.48-51)
This poor kid is seriously malnourished when it comes to socialization and story time. Maybe she'd be better with language if Mum Olga had spent a little more time talking to or reading with her. Just sayin'.
Quote #8
"What a clever daughter I have." Mum Olga beamed at Hattie." As clever as she is beautiful," I said. They both began to answer me and stopped, confused. "Hattie isn't pretty," Olive said. (23.31-34)
Communication isn't always direct in this book. Luckily for Ella's snappy dialogue, she's under an obedience spell, not a truth spell.
Quote #9
Words rose in me, filled my mouth, pushed against my lips. Yes, I'll marry you. Yes, I love you. Yes! Yes! Yes! I swallowed, forcing them down, but they tore at my throat. A strangled noise erupted from me, but not words, not consent. (29.52-53)
What happens when language betrays you, when the words you speak are not your own? Welcome to Ella's life, where this nonsense happens all the time.