How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Did Mama sing every day?" asked Caleb. "Every-single-day?" He sat close to the fire, his chin in his hand. It was dusk, and the dogs lay beside him on the warm hearthstones. (1.1)
The biggest thing that Anna remembers about her birth mother is that she used to sing—and that her singing made their father happy, too. This is a big part of what she misses about having their mother around.
Quote #2
"And Mama handed me to you in the yellow blanket and said…" He waited for me to finish the story. "And said…?"
I sighed. "And Mama, said, 'Isn't he beautiful, Anna?'" (1.15-16)
Caleb doesn't remember everything about his mother, so he has to rely on stories told by Anna and Jacob. He especially likes to hear about how much his mother loved him… even though they just had a brief amount of time together.
Quote #3
We ate Sarah's stew, the late light coming through the windows. Papa had baked bread that was still warm from the fire. "The stew is fine," said Papa.
"Ayuh." Sarah nodded. "The bread, too." (4.18-19)
Even though the Wittings are a bit shy around Sarah when she first comes, it's still nice to sit down and eat dinner as a family. There's nothing as comforting as a home-cooked meal.
Quote #4
After dinner Sarah told us about William. "He has a gray-and-white boat named Kittiwake." She looked out the window. "That is a small gull found way off the shore where William fishes. There are three aunts who live near us. They wear silk dresses and no shoes. You would love them." (4.25)
In order to join the Witting family, though, Sarah has to leave behind her own family and hometown—and that can be hard. She misses her brother and all her crazy aunts.
Quote #5
Sarah brushed my hair and tied it up in back with a rose velvet ribbon she had brought from Maine. She brushed hers long and free and tied it back, too, and we stood side by side looking into the mirror. I looked taller, like Sarah, and fair and thin. And with my hair pulled back I looked a little like her daughter. Sarah's daughter. (4.34)
Even though Anna knows that Sarah will never be her "real" mother, she still loves imagining that they look alike. She wants Sarah to be a part of their family so that they finally have a mother figure.
Quote #6
Papa taught Sarah how to plow the fields, guiding the plow behind Jack and Old Bess, the reins around her neck. When the chores were done we sat in the meadow with the sheep, Sarah beside us, watching Papa finish. (6.2)
Sarah starts becoming more a part of the Witting family and even takes on some of the responsibility of taking care of their farm. She's not just there as a tourist; she helps build their home, too.
Quote #7
Rose and Violet fell asleep in the grass, their bellies full of meat and greens and biscuits. And when it was time to go, Papa and Matthew lifted them into the wagon to sleep on blankets. (7.45)
When Matthew and Maggie come to visit, the Witting family and Sarah can see what will happen if she decides to stay. After all, Maggie came as a mail order bride, too, and she's comfortable with her family and in her new home now.
Quote #8
"We," said Sarah.
"What?" Papa turned.
"We will fix the roof," said Sarah. "I've done it before. I know about roofs. I am a good carpenter. Remember, I told you?" (8.20-22)
Sarah isn't interested in just observing the Witting family and how they work; she wants to be Jacob's partner. Because they live on a farm, this sometimes means rolling up her sleeves and doing some serious repairs.
Quote #9
Papa said nothing. But he put his arm around her, and leaned over to rest his chin in her hair. I closed my eyes, suddenly remembering Mama and Papa standing that way, Mama smaller than Sarah, her hair fair against Papa's shoulder. When I opened my eyes again, it was Sarah standing there. Caleb looked at me and smiled and smiled and smiled until he could smile no more. (8.44)
When the family takes refuge in the barn from the storm, Jacob shows physical affection toward Sarah for the first time. The children are absolutely delighted to see them getting closer.
Quote #10
"Best to be home before dark," said Papa. "Driving a wagon is hard if there's no full moon."
"Yes, Jacob."
Sarah kissed us all, even my father, who looked surprised. (9.18-20)
When Sarah leaves to ride the wagon into town, she kisses Jacob and the children as though they're her real family, and that's because she's decided to stay with them. This is her home and these are her people now.