How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The house was a roomy chamber with a pleasant, earthy smell. Its floor was hard-packed dirt, and its wooden roof was an arched intertwining of roots, above which rose the tree itself, an oak. (28.10)
This description of the Frisby's summer place is a lot different than their cement block. While that is snug and cozy, this is much airier—and perfect for the warm weather. Yet even though this house is roomier, so to speak, the image of the intertwining roots still suggests the safety of the home.
Quote #8
In the garden, they were always alone with themselves, but along the bank of the brook in summer lived five other mice families, all with children. (28.9)
It's always nice to have kids in the neighborhood, but one can't help but wonder if the kids will be able to accept the Frisby kids, now that we know that they have Mr. Frisby's modified DNA rattling around inside them.
Quote #9
The sun had set. They went into the house and lay down on the soft moss Mrs. Frisby had placed on the floor of their room under the roots. Outside, the brook swam quietly through the woods, and up above them the warm wind blew through the newly opened leaves of the big oak tree. They went to sleep. (28.43)
If this doesn't sound like domestic bliss, we don't know what does. There is soft moss, a quietly swimming brook and newly opened leaves. Paradise! But really, it is the fact that they are there, healthy and whole that makes the paradise complete.