How we cite our quotes: (Section.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
I never wanted much, and I needed even less, but what happened was that I got everything handed to me on a plate. It came from being a Kashpaw, I used to think, our family was respected as the last hereditary leaders of this tribe. But Kashpaws died out around here, people forgot, and I still kept getting offers. (7.1.1)
These are Nector's thoughts regarding how everything came easy to him when he was younger. Because the Kashpaws were a prominent and powerful family in the tribe, Nector thought his prestige came from that. But apparently not, since he was still a big deal even when his family wasn't anymore.
Quote #8
Sometimes I escaped. I had to have relief. I went drinking and caught holy hell from Marie. After a few years the babies started walking around, but that only meant they needed shoes for their feet. I gave in. I put my nose against the wheel. I kept it there for many years and barely looked up to realize the world was going by, full of wonders and creatures, while I was getting old baling hay for white farmers. (7.1.31)
Although Marie and his own mother seem to have believed Nector was a useless party boy, Nector describes himself as having put his "nose against the wheel" to provide for his family. And boy did he come to resent it, when he woke up one day and realized that time had passed him by…
Quote #9
One day I told her I had paid her back in full by staying at her beck and call. I'd do anything for Grandma. She knew that. Besides, I took care of Grandpa like nobody else could, on account of what a handful he'd gotten to be. (13.1.1)
These are Lipsha's thoughts here. It seems that Marie had tried to guilt him into being more helpful with his grandpa (since he had the healing touch), using her history with him to do a guilt trip, but Lipsha was only halfway taking the bait—since he knew he'd done a lot to repay his grandmother's kindness.