How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Olive is pushing twenty-one without a man in sight. And so they're going to have to try Europe." […]
"Aren't the young men of Europe as particular as the young men here?" Louise wondered.
"As I understand it, they're not," I said. "Besides, in Europe, money buys everything. But with us, it's family that counts. Family." (1.36-38)
Right from the get-go, Helena lets us know that Europe is different from America. According to her, in Europe it's all about money and in America it's all about family. As she travels to England, keep an eye out for whether Helena's opinions change.
Quote #2
Louise nodded. "Mrs. Minturn said it would take money to unlock the doors of Europe. Nobody in Europe is interested in poor Americans. No young man is. Evidently they have enough poor people of their own." (2.54)
Helena and her sisters are trying to learn all they can about Europe—now that the Upstairs Cranstons are travelling there, these mice want to know what's on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. So far they've spent a lot of time focusing on money. Do you think this association of money with Europe stays strong throughout the book? Or does it change as the mice travel to England?
Quote #3
"A… mouse steward?" I said faintly.
"You lot don't get out much, do you?" Nigel the steward said. "This is a British ship with British service."
Oh. (6.41-43)
When Helena and her siblings encounter Nigel, they don't know what to think of him. He's got a different accent, that's for sure. When Nigel explains that this is a British ship, the Cranston mice learn that they are about to encounter some new customs. What do you think of Helena's reaction: "Oh"? Does she seem excited to check out a new culture? Or does she seem scared?
Quote #4
"'Course they saw me." Nigel stroked a gorgeous whisker. "But I 'ave me work to do, and they 'ave theirs."
"But—"
"Besides, at sea a steward outranks a waiter."
We gaped. "But you're a mouse." I was practically wringing my hands.
Nigel waved me away. "You're on British soil now, so to speak," he said. "Rank matters more than appearance." (6.81-85)
Onboard this British ship, the Cranston mice find a whole new set of rules. Back in America, they need to stay hidden and out of sight. But here on the ship, Nigel can sometimes be out in the open. One major difference, according to Nigel, is the emphasis on rank—this means that social class and titles are super important. So it matters that Nigel is a "steward."
Quote #5
"A great many mice travel with their 'uman families. The better families," Nigel explained. "Yank—American mice. British mice 'eading 'ome." (7.4)
On this ship, there are lots of mice from England and a bunch from America too. On the one hand, it sounds pretty cool that they're all traveling together—and it sounds like they dine and hang out together too, which is nice. But Nigel hints that there's a difference between American and British mice when he says the Brits are "'eading 'ome," but calls the American mice "Yanks" (a.k.a. Yankees).
Quote #6
My land, she was grand.
She drew herself up, though she was rather bent. "I am Mouse-in-Waiting to Her Royal Highness, the Princess Louise, fourth daughter of the Queen. In the British Empire, Mice-in-Waiting assume a royal rank. It is tradition. Royalty has never made a move without their mice. We came over with William the Conqueror." (7.15-16)
Watch out Helena—you're in the presence of royalty. When she first dines with the Duchess of Cheddar Gorge, Helena is stunned to meet a royal mouse. In some ways, this royal mouse seems pretty different from Helena—after all, Helena doesn't wear a crown—but on the other hand, both the duchess and Helena are seriously obsessed with their old families. So maybe these British and American mice aren't all that different in the long run.
Quote #7
Through the miracle of the wireless telegraph, news of the whirlwind romance between Camilla Cranston and Lord Peter Henslowe reached two continents before we docked. Evidently the London newspapers were full of it, and the New York papers took note. (13.1)
When it comes to gossip, England and America are up on their details—even though Camilla and Lord Peter are out at sea, both of these countries learn about their budding romance as fast as possible. Sounds like both of these countries value having information travel as quick as can be.
Quote #8
"What's this I hear about you and some English…twerp?" he thundered at Camilla.
Twerp? We quaked under the bed. (13.13-14)
Mr. Cranston might be on his way to England, but he doesn't have the best impression of English lads—he calls Lord Peter Henslowe a "twerp." Keep in mind that everyone else on the ship loves Lord Petey, mice included. But Mr. Cranston doesn't like him one bit. And we have a feeling it has something to do with him being English. Why do you think Mr. C has such a negative view of English men?
Quote #9
The murmuring, cheeping dining saloon seemed to fall away. Suddenly before my mind's eye rose the greatest palace on earth.
[…]
"Only think, my dear," said the Duchess. "The Diamond Jubilee and the Queen riding out in the royal landau under a black lace parasol. And with her daughters: the Princess Helena, the Princess Louise, the Princess Beatrice! How the flags will snap! How the bands will play! How the crowds will cheer as all the world watches!"
Crowds cheered in my head. I saw it all in my mind, just as I was meant to. I saw the gates of a royal palace swing open upon a future of my own. (14.27, 30-1)
Helena has become enamored with England. Back in America she was scared about the new country and what it might hold for her, but now she's thinking that she's got a lot to look forward to.
Quote #10
"As to my future employment, Your Royal Highness," I said—very proper, very correct. "I will make you a deal."
The Duchess stared. "A deal?" Her matchstick clattered to the floor. "A deal?" She looked nearly at me. "Is that some sort of American expression?"
"Yes, Duchess," I said. "It is." (14.49-51)
Helena wants to become a royal mouse-in-waiting, but she still has some American ways. Do you think the Duchess likes Helena's "American" style? It sounds to us like the Duchess is a wee bit hesitant. But in the long run, Helena finds ways to be an American mouse in Buckingham Palace. What do you think of this combination?