How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Miri exhaled. He was on their side, and he would not let the lowlanders take her away from home. (2.26)
Miri just wants to feel like her father loves her and finds her useful in their home. As long as he'll protect her from outsiders, she'll feel like she has a place in this family—even if she can't contribute to working in the quarry like the other girls in the village.
Quote #2
Miri hated the chore, but she did it every year to spare Marda, who wept to see any creature die. Miri wondered if Marda would steel herself to do the killing this year or if Pa would think to take care of it some evening. (8.48)
Even though no one likes to slaughter the rabbits for stew, Miri will step up and do it in order to spare her sister any kind of pain. After all, that's what family is for, right?
Quote #3
Her pa lifted her in the air and spun her around as if she were still a little girl. Marda was there as well, kissing her cheeks and warming her cold hands. Miri's eyes felt watery, and she put her face against her pa's chest. (11.5)
All this time Miri was afraid that her family wouldn't miss her because she isn't useful in the quarry. Guess she didn't have anything to worry about—they're thrilled to see her again after so much time spent apart.
Quote #4
She had never imagined that her sister yearned to be at the academy, perhaps as much as Miri longed to be welcome in the quarry. Miri snuck Marda an extra helping of honey when her back was turned and wished she could think of something that would make it right. (12.69)
The sibling roles have changed—now it's Marda's turn to long for an opportunity that Miri has. Even though she's the younger sister, Miri feels responsible for finding a way to make Marda's dreams come true.
Quote #5
He held her tighter, and when his breath shook on a sob, Miri did not need to hear any more words.
He was sorry. She was his flower. They would be all right. (14.132-133)
Finally Miri understands that her father isn't ashamed of her—all this time he just wanted to protect her from the quarry because he doesn't want to see her hurt. It's not a reflection on her weakness at all.
Quote #6
She sang her thoughts down into the linder, sang of her family, their pallets cuddled close on a freezing night. She hoped Pa or Marda might hear her memory of home and understand that Miri needed them. (21.80)
When the bandits come, all thoughts of Prince Steffan and the royal palace leave Miri's mind—all she cares about now is reaching her family and coming home to them. She just needs to see her pa and her beloved sister again.
Quote #7
She did not let go of her pa for hours, watching from his arms as Onor and Dogface released Britta and Esa and with the other four bandits fled the academy. (24.1)
Miri's always wanted to be grown-up in the eyes of her father, but maybe now and again she can act like his little girl. After the bandits are defeated, Miri just needs a really long hug from her father.
Quote #8
Families piled together on one pallet, made pillows of one another's chests and legs, and held on for warmth and just for joy that everyone was all right. Miri snuggled under the scoop of her pa's arm, his heat spreading over her like the thickest blanket. She pulled Britta to her other side, and they slept with their arms entwined. (24.5)
Sometimes, families are made rather than born. Britta may not be a member of Miri's actual family—and she's not even a highlander—but she's still come to be more than a friend. She's practically another sister to Miri.
Quote #9
Miri knew that they were not anxious for a house in the lowlands with a beautiful garden or clothing made from expensive cloth or silver forks for their food. They just wanted Miri home again soon. (25.12)
All this time, Miri's been focused on giving her family a fancy house and great riches in the lowlands, but that's not what they're looking for at all. They just want their whole family to be together—on Mount Eskel.