How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The fathers say that part of man's purpose is to increase his knowledge, so that he can understand better how great is God's work. A lot of people think knowledge is dangerous. But they're wrong. Did you ever think of that, Cousin Eunice?"
"Yes, of course," Cousin Eunice said. "God wants children to study hard and behave well in school."
James answered slowly. "I guess you could say that. But that's not the way the fathers talk about it, about learning. They don't treat it like a duty. They treat it like a gift. Like grace."
"I don't think you can be right about that," Cousin Eunice said. "Not grace. That's not what the Gospels say, is it? Nobody's ever told me the Gospels say that. I've always understood that duty is the most important, even the best." (1.11.147-150)
This is Cousin Eunice in a nutshell: Doing one's duty is more important than experiencing God's grace. She's also clearly not a deep thinker. People have to tell her what the Gospels say. She can't figure it out on her own. After all, James has been studying this Catholic stuff for a few days and already he has a better grasp on it than Eunice who's been doing it her whole life.
Quote #8
"It sounds—" Dicey tried to think of what she should say. "Nice. You'd make a good nun."
"Do you think so? I had hoped so. However, that is out of the question now." Cousin Eunice's eyes filmed with tears, and she shook her head. "Because of you children. You need me more, Father Joseph says. It is God's work, just as much, caring for the abandoned children." As she spoke, she looked over Dicey's shoulder at something Dicey couldn't see, something Dicey suspected wasn't there at all, and her eyes shone. "That is my duty. You will be my family now." Her soft voice vibrated with the pleasure of resolution and sacrifice.
"Are you sure?" Dicey asked.
"It is God's will," Cousin Eunice said, bowing her head. (1.11.161-164)
Too bad Cousin Eunice doesn't know more about grace—she might not have been such a lousy guardian then. She'll take in the children because it's her Christian duty. They're not a gift from God, though, they're a task and a burden to be endured. No wonder Dicey and her siblings made a run for it.
Quote #9
When the doors opened, Dicey watched carefully for her sister. Lots of children went to church with their parents, all of them dressed up. The girls wore organdy dresses and party shoes and ribbons in their hair, or hats. The boys wore real suits and ties. Cousin Eunice always walked out slowly, surrounded by a group of women who could have been her sisters. They dressed alike. They all wore those high-heeled shoes. They all had curled their hair into sausages.
These women made a pet out of Maybeth. She would stand in the middle and they would tell her how pretty she was, how lucky she was to have naturally curly hair, and what a sweet, quiet girl she was. "You're going to break some hearts for sure," they said, giggling.
Maybeth listened to this and smiled foolishly.
"An angel like you—nobody will be good enough for you. She's a treasure, Eunice," they said.
"Don't I know it?" Cousin Eunice answered smugly.
"A doll, a perfect doll."
Dicey put her hands behind her back and clenched her fists, waiting for Cousin Eunice to see her.
When Cousin Eunice called her, the women stepped back and smiled primly at her. Maybeth put out her hand for Dicey to take. Her eyes were wide as she looked at Dicey, wide and pleased with the attention. The silly smile stayed. (1.12.5-12)
We're not really sure that Cousin Eunice would make a very good nun. She's pretty silly and doesn't seem to genuinely care much for others. She only likes Maybeth because she's pretty, quiet, and obedient—just like she was. But she also clearly takes a lot of pride in caring for this poor motherless child. You know what they say about pride before a fall, right?