How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
"Before—we were always the ones who were run away from. This time I want us to do it." (2.1.20)
James says this as the kids leave for Crisfield. It seems like he's still thinking about his earlier statement. People just love leaving them—but this time, they're the ones leaving others behind. Finally, they're not abandoned kids, but a family on a mission to find a home.
Quote #8
Jerry flushed and bit his lip. "At least she cares about her kids."
Tom laughed. "You can't get me that way, old friend. My parents care about me—but I've made my declaration of independence, and they were smart enough to accept that. I've got my freedom." (2.2.110-111)
This is pretty ironic. Tom and Jerry have parents who care about and love them, but they don't want to be bothered by them, while Dicey and her siblings have been cast off by their parents and have their "freedom," but of course, total freedom isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Quote #9
"I don't know yet. But I thought… James, I want to go out there alone. Just in case. I want you to stay here with the kids. And I'll come back for you when I know."
"Know what?"
"If it's okay for us there."
"I don't like that, Dicey. What if you get in trouble?"
"Better just me than all of us, right? Will said we could call the Berlin police to get him if we need help. So if I don't come back then you can call him. Here's the money, for lunch and anything. Can you keep an eye on Maybeth and Sammy?"
"Yeah, but I don't like it."
"I'm in charge, James. Remember."
"Okay. But . . . "
Dicey gave him the money she had left, nine dollars. She leaned over to talk to Maybeth and Sammy. "You do what James says. You hear?"
They both nodded.
"That's all right then," Dicey said. She stood up quickly and hurried away, without looking back. (2.7.95-105)
No wonder James doesn't like this. Dicey says the exact same thing to the kids that Momma did before she left. After all this time, the little kids are still worried that they'll be abandoned yet again. Poor little dears.