How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Where's that?" Beatrice was agog.
Louise said, "Europe is across the—"
"Never mind where it is," I said before Louise could tell Beatrice that Europe is across the ocean. Water is not a happy subject with us, and I wouldn't have Beatrice worried. (1.26-28)
Helena is a protective big sister, so when they find out that the Upstairs Cranstons are moving to Europe, she doesn't want to tell her littlest sis, Beatrice, where Europe is because she knows that Beatrice will be scared to cross an ocean. So Helena hides some of the information for a little while. It's only the first chapter, and already Helena is being pretty sly about what info she communicates. Looks like she thinks that some things are better left unsaid.
Quote #2
When they were Dutch upstairs, we were Dutch down here. We learned their tongue. We are excellent at languages. Excellent. (1.49)
Helena gives us a history lesson of American mice and their languages. Apparently mice are super amazing at languages. Who knew?
Quote #3
They were Cranstons Upstairs. We were Cranstons down here. But nothing good comes of too much mixing. And it isn't fair. We understand their speech. They don't understand a word of ours. Not a syllable. We hear all about their joys, their sorrows. They hear nothing of ours. Nothing. (4.8).
When it comes to mice and humans, we've got a huge language barrier—but it only goes one way. So the mice can understand everything the humans say, but the humans don't understand the mice at all. Helena thinks this "isn't fair." She wants to have someone to communicate with. Do you think there are any advantages to the fact that humans can't understand mice in this book?