How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #4
M.C. caught up his vine with his feet. When he could reach it with one hand, he twisted it up and around his legs and wrapped it around his waist.
He let himself hang there above the stream, with his feet dragging in the cool water. Ben did the same. They swayed gently around in the stillness.
Ben looked just as happy as he could be. M.C. was feeling pretty good himself, just listening and feeling the depth of silence. (1.77-79)
M.C. may be the leader of the two boys, but that doesn't mean he is sensitive to Ben's feelings. M.C.'s thoughts immediately go to how Ben seems to feel ("looked just as happy as could be") after Ben follows M.C.'s actions. M.C.'s acting as if he's responsible for Ben, like how an older brother might be…
Quote #5
Between them was an unspoken agreement. Ben was never to touch M.C. with his hands and risk losing his only friend. (1.66)
So… wow… can we say that this friendship kind of stinks for Ben, whether he cares or not? What kind of friendship can they have if Ben isn't ever to touch M.C.? What is M.C., a king with Ben as his footman?
Quote #6
The thought that Ben was near but unseen was all right with M.C. Although M.C. was still edgy, he felt his senses become heightened with minute sight and sound. Where he moved and saw, Ben was moving and seeing the same. The fact was a comfort.
He's my spirit, M.C. thought. He can see me and everything around me and the path, too. Good old spirit. (1.139-140)
On one hand, this description about the boys' spiritual bond sounds beautiful and amazing. On the other hand, Ben doesn't really have an identity or even a body—to M.C., Ben's a "good old spirit," trailing behind M.C. and watching out for M.C. It's like he's a spiritual appendage of M.C.