How we cite our quotes: (Chapter. Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Oh, listen, Margaret," Nancy said. "On the first day of school wear loafers, but no socks."
"How come?"
"Otherwise you'll look like a baby."
"Oh."
"Besides, I want you to join my secret club and if you're wearing socks the other kids might not want you." (2.118-122)
We're only in the second chapter and already Nancy's working her manipulation muscles. As though anybody but Nancy actually has a say in whether Margaret gets to join their club or not… We think Nancy's just testing Margaret to see if she'll do what Nancy says.
Quote #2
By the time I got to Room Eighteen of the Delano Elementary School my feet hurt so much I thought I wouldn't make it through the day. Why are mothers always right about those things? As it turned out, half the girls had on knee socks anyway. (4.12)
Those knee socks are looking pretty amazing right about now to poor Margaret, and we bet she's wishing she hadn't listened to Nancy.
Quote #3
When Gretchen helped herself to six Oreos at once Nancy asked her how much weight she'd gained over the summer. Gretchen put back four cookies and said, "Not much." (5.1)
Nancy is a master manipulator. She controls Gretchen not by mentioning the cookies she's eating, but instead by casually bringing up her weight. Shame on you, Nancy.