How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"There are three important things to remember. Don't open the front door to anyone, no matter how they knock, and don't be late going down to the cellar. [...] Whatever else you do, don't let [the candle] go out." (3.18, 3.21)
The Spook's job is full of rules, many of them seemingly arbitrary. But no matter how stupid they sound, Tom tries to follow them. So we think it's kind of unfair that when Tom breaks the last rule accidentally, he still gets punished for it. There's a method to this madness, though; Tom needs to learn to follow all of the rules in order to survive.
Quote #2
"Go down as soon as you hear [the bell]—When someone's cooked good food he may get angry if you let it go cold. But don't come down too early either, because that could be just as bad." (5.39)
This little rule combines Spook's supernatural world and simple table manners. When breakfast is ready, you come to the table. Especially if it's French Toast. That dish is no good cold. But in Spook's world, coming to the table early also means being around boggarts and other scary beings.
Quote #3
"Let that be a lesson to you lad. Next time it might be worse." (5.57)
Tom accidentally breaks another rule when he thinks the breakfast bell has rung, but it hasn't. He's punished again even though it's an accident. We guess you have to accept the consequences for breaking a rule, even if you don't mean to.
Quote #4
"Never walk down this path after dark." (5.63)
One good thing about the Spook's rules is that they're pretty cut and dry. There's no gray area here. Well, unless we get really particular. Can we run down that path after dark?
Quote #5
"This is the southern garden," the Spook said. "Don't come here after dark either." (5.84)
Jeez. Where can Tom go after dark? Sometimes, having to follow a lot of rules can feel stifling. Some nights, all you really want to do after dark is plant a few turnips, you know?
Quote #6
"To thank me properly, you need to give me something." (6.76)
This is one of Alice's rules. And even though she makes it up right on the spot, Tom follows it. We guess he's used to following everyone's rules by this point. Plus, when you think about it, what rules aren't made up?
Quote #7
The Spook gave me a measuring rod so that I could make the pit exactly six feet long, six feet deep, and three feet wide. (7.14)
This is one of Spook's rules. At first, it seems like he is just making Tom work for the heck of it. But, as we see later on, the Spook doesn't make up rules for fun. Disobeying them can have serious consequences.
Quote #8
"Never make a promise that you're not prepared to keep." (8.3)
This little gem of wisdom is something Tom's dad told him, and it's a rule that governs Tom's life. Tom keeps working as the Spook's apprentice in order to keep a promise to his Mam. But keeping his promise to Alice gets Tom into a lot of trouble. So maybe there are some promises that you shouldn't keep—especially if they go against bigger, more important promises you've made to yourself?
Quote #9
That was the mistake Billy Bradley made. [...] He cut corners. (10.95)
Here's proof that if you fail to follow the rules, the consequences can be deadly. Tom's lucky that his mistakes have just resulted in small injuries. So far. Billy Bradley, the Spook's former apprentice, wasn't so lucky.