Secrets at Sea Memory and the Past Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)

Quote #7

"But how will we know when it's quarter past four o'clock?" Beatrice said. She had a point. We mice are not good with time. For us, it's always run—

"The gong will sound at four o'clock to summon the 'umans to their tea in the Winter Garden," said Lamont, who was 'ardly Lamont at all. "Once they're out of the way, then you three 'ightail it for the Duchess's suite."

"But where—"

"I shall myself conduct you," Lamont said grandly. "Now if there are no further questions, I 'ave other duties. Nigel keeps me on the 'op." (9.24-27)

Lamont has changed under Nigel's influence, and it's almost as if he's left his old self behind. Check out how Lamont has all the answers—the sisters haven't even finished asking their questions and he's already giving them an answer. Lamont used to be the wild little brother, but it looks like he's had quite the new start on this ship.

Quote #8

"Thanks to me," Louise endlessly recalled, "Camilla has snagged Lord Peter Henslowe, a major catch. Truly top-notch. His family—the Henslowes, you know—have two castles and a house in London. They ride to hounds. Hounds, my dears. Lord Peter will be an earl one day, and that will make Camilla a countess. A countess." Oh how Louise preened. She grinned and grinned to show her useful teeth. We were meant to remember pearls pattering at a certain social occasion. (12.21)

Here's a wee bit of good news: not every memory in this book is a bad one. In fact, Louise has a pretty sweet memory about how she helped Camilla catch the attention of Lord Peter. Louise doesn't want to stop remembering that perfect moment, and she's not about to let her sisters forget it either.

Quote #9

We gazed at our brother, trying to think. You know how mice are about water. And Lamont meant to spend his life at sea. You can't make these things up.

"Oh, Lamont." I worked my hands. The bothersome boy! "What if something happens to your tail? Who will sew it back?"

But he thrust his patchy tail well out of sight and turned his little pointy chinless face to the future. (13.66-68)

Lamont and his sisters have had some rough times in their past—Lamont even lost part of his tail—but when it comes to moving forward, Lamont is raring to go. He's not worried about who will fix his tail up, and he's only looking toward one thing: "the future." What do you think about Lamont's ability to not be held back by his past?