How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"He is our father's father, and he didn't like our mother," said Henry. "So we don't think he would like us. We are afraid he would be mean to us." (1.21)
Here's a little mystery that never gets resolved. Did Mr. Alden really dislike the children's mother? Why did he never visit when the children's parents were alive?
Quote #2
"We'll never let Benny go to a Children's Home. Never, never!" (1.44)
When Henry and Jessie overhear the baker's wife's plan to send Benny away, they instantly decide to run away—it's not even a question. It's clear that staying together is the siblings' top priority.
Quote #3
"She asked me if I liked cookies. I said I did, and she gave me one."
"What did you do with it?" asked Benny hungrily.
"When she went back into the kitchen, I put it in my pocket," said Henry laughing. (6.15-6.17)
Instead of eating the cookie when he was alone, Henry pocketed it for later so he could share it with his family. Now, that's a caring big brother. For the record, Shmoop is not so kind to its siblings.
Quote #4
"Our mother and father are dead." (9.20)
Yep, that's literally all we know about Mr. and Mrs. Alden: They're dead. The children never offer up further details. Why do you think that is?
Quote #5
Then Henry began to think of winning the race. He knew how much the twenty-five-dollar prize would mean to Jessie and the rest of the children.
"I am going to win this race!" he said to himself. (10.32-10.33)
Personally, Henry doesn't care if he wins the race; he's just running for fun. But, when he starts to think about his family, he feels more motivated. Twenty-five bucks would make his siblings super happy.
Quote #6
The doctor laughed to himself as Henry James shook hands with James Henry. (10.45)
The names Henry James Alden and James Henry Alden bear a strong family resemblance, don't you think? Mr. Alden doesn't notice at first because Henry withholds his last name on Field Day. Clever.
Quote #7
"What are you going to do with the money?"
"I'll give it to Jessie," answered Henry. (10.50-10.51)
Henry is consistently selfless throughout the story. Everything he has belongs to not just him but to his whole family. What a model older brother.
Quote #8
Poor Henry was so surprised he almost fell over! That kind man his grandfather! (12.39)
Poor Henry isn't always the sharpest knife in the drawer, but when he finally figures out that Mr. Alden is his grandfather, it's a happy moment for all of the Alden kids. Yay.
Quote #9
"They won't take Watch away?" she whispered to Henry.
"No, indeed!" said Henry. "We'll never, never give him up." (13.19-13.20)
The dog's situation at the end of the story echoes the baker's wife's threat to send Benny to the Children's Home. Watch is family now, so he's not going anywhere, no way, no how.
Quote #10
"Thank you for the surprise, Grandfather," said Violet. "We'll never go away from you again."
"I hope not, my dear," said Mr. Alden. "We'll all live happily ever after."
And so they did. (13.66-13.68)
The Boxcar Children spend most of the book running away from their grandfather, but once they meet him, they're sold. Their happy ending seems well earned, don't you think?