How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
Mama came running out of the house and toward the barn, holding out her hands. I ran to her and hugged her clean and warm and hard as I could. Aunt Carrie was there, too. I wanted to tell her (as I hugged her) as to how I spent the ten cents that she gave me, but I thought better of it. Ten cents for a used piece of saddle soap was a dear price. (11.15)
Back in the day, ten cents was a big chunk of change, especially for a kid. And an underprivileged kid at that. But Rob chooses to use it for something he needs (and bad!), not something he wants. Pretty responsible, don't you think?
Quote #5
Papa put his hand on my shoulder as we walked up to the house.
"Try an' try," he said, "but when it comes day's end, I can't wash the pig off me. And your mother never complains. Not once, in all these years, has she ever said that I smell strong. I said once to her that I was sorry."
"What did Mama say?"
"She said I smelled of honest work, and that there was no sorry to be said or heard." (12.68-71)
Mama makes the best of everything; we never see her complain about how little the family has. Guess this is an example of just how rich the Pecks are in the things that matter.
Quote #6
All this talk of hogs and dollars and meat and banks was rolling around inside my head with no direction. It didn't quite sound Christian to me, but then I suppose that everyone in the world didn't all live strict by the Book of Shaker.
"But we're Plain People, sir. It may not be right to want for so much."
"Nonsense, boy. Bess and I are fearing Christians, same as you." (13.68-70)
Rob is afraid that having too much in the way of material comfort will disagree with his standing as a good Shaker. We're going to bet he's not in any danger of that anytime soon. P.S. Check out our section on "Setting" for more on the Shaker way of life.