How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
Papa might not have told us about Sarah that night if Caleb hadn't asked him the question. After the dishes were cleared and washed and Papa was filling the tin pail with ashes, Caleb spoke up. (1.35)
Jacob might not have planned to tell the kids about his newspaper ad so early on, but when he hears how much they long for a mother, he has to give them some grain of hope. So he tells them about Sarah.
Quote #2
"Sarah has said she will come for a month's time if we wish her to," he said, his voice loud in the dark barn. "To see how it is. Just to see." (2.17)
Although Sarah is only coming to the Midwest for a test run, the kids are still beyond excited and filled with expectation. They really want her to fall in love with their family and stay forever and ever.
Quote #3
"I think," he began. Then, "I think," he said slowly, "that it would be good—to say yes," he finished in a rush.
Papa looked at me.
"I say yes," I told him, grinning.
"Yes," said Papa. "Then yes it is." (2.19-22)
Jacob lets the children decide if Sarah can come visit because he wants them to have a say in his new wife—this way they don't feel like all of this change has just been dropped on them without warning.
Quote #4
Sarah nodded. "There is always something to miss, no matter where you are," she said, smiling at Maggie." (7.44)
Talking to Maggie helps Sarah realize that no matter what choice she makes, there will be things that she'll have to leave behind. That's the nature of making big life decisions: They're not always easy.
Quote #5
"What shall we name them?" asked Sarah, laughing as the chickens followed us into the house.
I smiled. I was right. The chickens would not be for eating. (7.47-48)
Sarah's decision not to kill her new chickens gives Anna some insight into what kind of person she is—and how much love and life she brings to their home. She also seems to have a strange fondness for naming farm animals after her aunts. Ha.
Quote #6
"Women don't wear overalls," said Caleb, running along behind her like one of Sarah's chickens.
"This woman does," said Sarah crisply. (8.3-4)
Sarah is the kind of person who does things her own way. After traveling all the way to the Midwest to meet her potential new husband, she's not going to let anyone tell her what she can and cannot wear. We like your style, Sarah.
Quote #7
"Why does she want to go to town by herself?" asked Caleb. "To leave us?"
I shook my head, weary with Caleb's questions. Tears gathered at the corners of my eyes. But there was no time to cry, for suddenly Papa called out. (8.27-28)
Caleb's obsession over Sarah's decision to stay or leave doesn't just affect him; it wears Anna down, too. She's having a hard time maintaining her composure when Caleb insists on talking about it all the time.
Quote #8
"Wait!" cried Sarah. "My chickens!"
"No, Sarah!" Papa called after her. But Sarah had already run from the barn into a sheet of rain. My father followed her. The sheep nosed open their stall door and milled around the barn, bleating. (8.34-35)
Sarah's decision to run out into a storm and save her chickens shows just how fearless and loving she is. It also shows how Jacob has come to care for her, and how he wants to protect her in stormy weather.
Quote #9
"I could get sick and make her stay here," said Caleb.
"No."
We could tie her up."
"No." (7.7-10)
Caleb naively thinks that if they trap Sarah in their house like a hostage, she'll stay forever. But Anna knows that this is a decision Sarah has to make on her own, without being coerced.
Quote #10
"I am loud and pesky," Caleb cried suddenly. "You said so! And she has gone to buy a train ticket to go away."
"No, Caleb. She would tell us." (9.25-27)
When Sarah drives the wagon off, Caleb is despondent and thinks she's decided to leave them. Anna tries to be more pragmatic and points out that Sarah would have told them—plus, she'd never leave her cat behind. Meow.