How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Mama will make you a lunch basket that'll be breakfast, dinner, and supper. And you're to do all the Tanners ask of you. And see things to be done before they ask."
"Yes, Papa. I'll sure do good."
"If they judge hogs and judge oxen at the same time, your place is with Tanner's yoke and not your own pig. Promise me, boy."
"I promise, Papa. I'll do proud." (9.108-111)
Wow, talk about pressure. It's not enough to do your duty when it's pointed out to you. You need to go looking for responsibilities that haven't even come your way yet, too? Hey, no one ever said life on the farm was easy.
Quote #8
My face was wet with the sweat of hurry. It feels worse, Papa always said, than the sweat of work. (10.53)
Here at Shmoop, we're thinking all sweat pretty much smells the same. But Papa's point is that the sweat of work is honest sweat, so it isn't that bad.
Quote #9
"Into the house with you," Mama said. "It's way past your bedtime and you'll never get up for chores." That sort of stopped me.
"Papa? You did all my chores today."
"Sure did. And butchered hogs besides."
"Thank you, Papa. I'm beholding."
"I accept your debt," Papa said, "and come 'morrow, you'll work double."
"That's meet and right," I said. (11.21-26)
Whoa. Even when he's been away at the fair all day, Rob's still racking up the debt because Papa has done his chores for him. Papa wants payback, too. These guys sure take responsibility seriously.