How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph)
Quote #10
Bill begged me tearfully to make the ransom fifteen hundred dollars instead of two thousand. "I ain't attempting," says he, "to decry the celebrated moral aspect of parental affection, but we're dealing with humans, and it ain't human for anybody to give up two thousand dollars for that forty-pound chunk of freckled wild cat. I'm willing to take a chance at fifteen hundred dollars. You can charge the difference to me." (50)
Bill understands the facts here better than Sam does. After all, he has spent the bulk of the time with Johnny. Bill takes great care in his choice of words, and is truly hoping for a sensible renegotiation of their original plan.
Quote #11
"Sam," says Bill, "I suppose you'll think I'm a renegade, but I couldn't help it. I'm a grown person with masculine habits of self-defense, but there is a time when all systems of egotism fail. The boy is gone. I sent him home. All is off. There was martyrs in old times," goes on Bill, "that suffered death rather than give up the particular graft they enjoyed. None of 'em ever was subjugated to such supernatural tortures as I have been. I tried to be faithful to our plan, but there came a limit." (74)
Bill is sure that he has finally ditched Johnny. His limits have been tested, and his limits have been reached. Bill is unapologetic when explaining the unfortunate turn of events that forced him to abandon their plan. Sam already sees Johnny sneaking up behind Bill, but he says nothing as Bill recounts his tale of woe.
Quote #12
"Sam," says he, "what's two hundred and fifty dollars, after all? We've got the money. One more night of this kid will send me to a bed in Bedlam. Besides being a thorough gentleman, I think Mr. Dorset is a spendthrift for making us such a liberal offer. You ain't going to let the chance go, are you?" (88)
Again, Bill serves as the voice of reason—or the voice of pure panic. Bill is practically begging to get Johnny off his hands at this point; he needs this failed endeavor to be placed behind him. He fears for both his sanity and his life.