A Long Way from Chicago Lies and Deceit Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"I heard you tell your brother that Vandalia Eubanks was a puppy. I can hear all over the house. I got ears on me like an Indian scout. And I don't sleep." (5.174)

The whole time that Mary Alice has Vandalia hidden in their house, Grandma Dowdel knows what's going on. She just pretends to believe Mary Alice's lies because she wants to help out Vandalia, too.

Quote #8

"Mrs. Dowdel, you falsified those so-called Lincoln items. They're bogus. I could have the law on you."

"That's right." Grandma gazed above him at the wide-mouthed bass. "The banker throws the poor old widder in the pokey. That'll look real good for your business." (6.122-123)

Even threatening to call the police doesn't work on Grandma Dowdel. She's unapologetic about having made fake Abraham Lincoln antiques, and she's not going to be bullied by Mr. Weidenbach into backing off.

Quote #9

"Ah," Grandma said. "Let me see if I heard right. At my time in life, my hearing isn't what it was."

Mary Alice and I stared at each other. Of all her whoppers, this was Grandma's crowning achievement. She had ears on her like an Indian scout. (7.71-72)

When Grandma tells Mrs. Weidenbach that she didn't hear her, the kids both know that this is the biggest lie ever. Grandma isn't a little old lady who's losing her hearing; she's a force to be reckoned with—and she hears everything that's going on around her.