How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Or," said a voice, whispering still, "I shall hit you with my ash stick […] in case," came the surprised whisper at last, "you ran toward me, quickly, through the grass… in case," it went on, trembling a little, "you came and scrabbled at me with your nasty little hands." (9.4-6)
Who do you think is more scared of the other: Arrietty, or the boy? This one could totally go both ways.
Quote #8
Arrietty stared up at him. So this was "the boy"! Breathless, she felt, and light with fear. (9.18)
Fear can paralyze in more than one way—it might stop a character from taking a risk, but it can also literally put a character on pause, giving him or her time to think, like Arrietty here. When given a moment to consider the situation, she shows her cards. She's more than just scared. She's curious.
Quote #9
We don't see them because it's too far. There are weasels and things and cows and foxes… and crows… (10.42)
Maybe someone has told Arrietty stories about all these crazy creatures in the field. Maybe that's why she's so frightened of things she's never seen. And isn't that just it? She's never seen them. That can only make things worse.