How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
But Henry did not want to start. He looked to see how much money he had. Then he stood thinking.
At last he said, "I don't want to leave you girls alone." (3.39-3.40)
Henry sees himself as his family's protector—at least of the girls. Notice that he doesn't mention Benny, the youngest Alden, who is a boy. It's the girls he doesn't want to leave.
Quote #2
Henry said, "Today I'll go to town and try to get some work to do. I can cut grass or work in a garden or something. Then we'll have something besides milk for breakfast." (5.8)
Providing, like protecting, is another traditionally masculine role that Henry takes on. Fingers crossed he succeeds.
Quote #3
"This will be my pink cup," said Benny. (5.36)
Benny is just 5 years old, so he's not quite old enough to eschew "girl stuff" like pink cups. Does the author think girly things are childish? Or, does she think that boys don't learn to dislike pink until they're old enough to worry about how other people perceive them? Over to you, Shmoopers.