A Year Down Yonder Principles Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

We left then, Grandma bustling to prove she hadn't given two hoots about Mrs. Wilcox. But I saw through that. I hadn't lived with her all year for nothing. Sometimes I thought I was turning into her. (7.64)

In classic Grandma Dowdel fashion, she denies caring about Mrs. Wilcox—even when she's just rushed over to check on her after the tornado hits. But Mary Alice can see right through it, and knows that they're best friends.

Quote #8

When I offered to give Grandma a hand, she snapped my head off. "Go on up to the house and study for them exams," she barked. Though we both knew no power on earth would save me in math. But she wouldn't even let me set the table for supper these nights. I took my sweet time figuring out what had come over Grandma. (7.75)

When Grandma suspects that Mary Alice is worried about her growing old, she starts doing some serious chores without help—just to show her that she's an independent old woman and doesn't need to be fussed over.

Quote #9

"Grandma, I don't want to go back to Chicago. I want to stay here with you."

She knew, of course. Dad was working now. They'd found an apartment up in Rogers Park. Mother was fixing up the second bedroom for me. They wanted me home as soon as school was out. It was all in the letter. (7.94-95)

Grandma Dowdel is definitely not an idiot—she knows that Mary Alice has been thinking about staying on. But she's not about to let her granddaughter sacrifice her own happiness to look after her grandmother, and so she refuses Mary Alice's offer. Not because she doesn't want her there, but because she knows it wouldn't be right for Mary Alice to give up other opportunities.