A Long Way from Chicago Family Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #4

What if he knew his own mother ran illegal fish traps? Brewing home beer was one thing, because the Prohibition law only profited the bootleggers. But we're talking about good sportsmanship here.

I noticed Mary Alice's eyes on me. She was watching me around Grandma's rowing arm, and she was reading my mind. It was then we decided never to tell Dad. (3.57-58)

By the time their third summer with Grandma rolls around, the kids are completely loyal to her—even if she does often do odd (or illegal) things. They decide never to rat on her to their parents.

Quote #5

Grandma waved that away. "Don't give it a thought. You can take my grandson instead," she said. "If he wants to go."

The heavens opened. I thought I heard celestial music. Somehow I was up in the front seat of the plane, buckling myself in with trembling hands. (4.118-119)

Grandma Dowdel may not be the most affectionate woman in the world, but she still wants her grandchildren to have what they want. She even lies and says that she won the pie-baking contest so that Joey can get his first ride on an airplane.

Quote #6

Though Mary Alice was getting a little too leggy to be a child star, Mother said taking tap would give her poise. So Mary Alice was apt to stop cold on a sidewalk and run through a tap routine in her regular sandals. I wasn't going to wait while she did that, so we each acted like the other one wasn't there. (5.5)

When Joey and Mary Alice hit their tweens, they are both totally too cool for each other. After all, it's not very hip to be hanging out with your siblings—it's better to just ignore them.