How we cite our quotes: (Part.Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
The modern world had arrived with the new century, and Bridget read about it sometimes; the amazing new things that science had created: of lighter-than-air ships, of pocket cameras, of wireless transmissions.
She didn't object to such things, she just didn't understand why the old things she had learned from her mother should be swept aside by the new. And there lay a problem, because even
Merle herself didn't understand fully the ways of the dragon flower plant, that could heal if prepared in a certain way, or could kill if prepared in another. She had learned a little of its ways, but no one knew everything about it anymore, of all the uses it could be put to, of all the dangers it held. (4.2.5-6)
The supernatural is falling by the wayside in favor of science and modernity. But that doesn't mean there's not something weird and magical going on with these dragon orchids…
Quote #5
The witch nodded, and from a cupboard she produced a glass jar of some cloudy liquid, purplish-black.
She nodded again.
"This will do what you require," she said. "Wait until nightfall. Go into the woods, or some other place where you will not be seen. Take off all your clothes, for you do not want to be caught in them when you wake again. Drink it. Drink it all. You will sleep.
"When you wake again, you will have assumed the form you desire, but you must make sure you hold that form in your mind as you go to sleep.
"Is that understood?"
Merle said nothing, and nodded. (5.7.13-18)
Merle uses a magic potion to turn herself into a hare. Would something like this really work? It might if it were brewed from dragon orchid.
Quote #6
"Children," said their mother, more gently. "This is Laura, here. She wasn't able to join us until today. I told you all this, don't you remember? Her mother has been sick, and she has only just arrived now."
The twins turned to each other, then back to their parents. They looked at Laura suspiciously.
"Then who is it in our room?"
Now, their parents' eyes widened, and Herr Graf suddenly stormed upstairs. He was gone a little while, and then returned.
"Nothing," he said. "No one. As I said, one of your games."
The children were too bewildered to answer.
"And did one of you spill your water? The boards are damp, at the foot of the bed." (5.8.30-36)
And now it's time for the big mysterious finish: "Laura" was a ghost the whole time. But not just any ghost—she was the ghost of Erika, Merle's lover. So spooky.