How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #7
The escort left us in Peekskill. We turned south, following a road that went along the river. Oh, it was exciting to me. There were all kinds of boats going up and down or moored offshore. Scattered along the river bank were docks and wharves with skiffs and rowboats tied up to them. Men and boys were fishing from the docks, and sometimes we could see people out in boats seining. It seemed like fun, a lot more fun than being a tavern-keeper.
"I wished we lived here, Father," I said.
[…]
"Oh, the river's pretty," he said, "but fishing's hard work. You try hauling one of those seines up from the bottom sometime and you'll find out." (8.32-33, 36)
Remember how Tim didn't really care about New York when they first arrived? Well, it looks like he's seriously changed his tune. Now this town is so ideal to him, it may as well be an island paradise. All he can focus on are the pretty boats and what fun it must be to fish all day. Good thing dad is around to remind him that fishing can be hard work, too.
Quote #8
It was a good wagonload: two hogshead of rum, a half dozen big sacks of salt, a couple of barrels of molasses; a large chest of tea, a sack of coffee beans, a dozen brass kettles and some tin pots; a chest of breeches and some brass buckles; some drills, knives, files, axes and spades; and small boxes of pepper, allspice, cinnamon, and white powdered sugar." (8.44)
This wagon is like a regular superstore. Looking to pick up some salt sacs? They've got 'em. In the mood for some sweet treats? Then once all these goods arrive in Redding, head on over to the Meeker store for a barrel of molasses. We're thinking this looks like everything you need to survive in colonial America. In fact, nothing says colonial America like a "chest of breeches and some brass buckles."
Quote #9
When I woke up in the morning it had stopped snowing and the sun was shining. Water was running in small streams off the roof. It was pretty—everything a foot deep in snow and the sun sparkling off the fields. But even though it was pretty I didn't like it. Plowing through snow a foot deep with the oxcart all the way back to Redding was going to be miserable work. (9.1)
America is nothing if not beautiful and filled with hard work. We see this combo all over this book. It's almost as if in America you can't have beauty without the hard work. What do you think of this combination?