How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Hard work. He ought to take it easy one of these days, now he's got you to man the place."
"Papa works all the time. He don't never rest. And worse than that, he works inside himself. I can see it on his face. Like he's been trying all his life to catch up to something. But whatever it is, it's always ahead of him, and he can't reach it." (13.45-46)
At this point in the story, Papa already knows he doesn't have long to live. But even so, he continues to live by the principle of hard work that is so important to him. Pretty impressive, don't you think?
Quote #8
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 isn't quite sure if it's okay to think about all the good things that may come his way as a result of Pinky's potential piglets. (Say that three times fast—we dare you.) Humility of all kinds—in dress, behavior, and even in thought—is one of the principles of the Peck family.
Quote #9
Papa worked quiet and quick. The guts got drawed out and were there on the cold ground in a hot misty mass. Then we each put a hook in the jaws and dragged the bloody body into boiling water. It was boiled, scraped free of all hair and scurf, and sawed in half. (14.27)
Here we see—in graphic detail—Papa's skill at butchering. A tough job, but someone has to do it, and if it's Papa, at least you know it'll be done well.