How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Keep one eye on the sky, Lamont," Louise called after him. Because any number of things can swoop down in a mouse. Things with wings and talons. Beaks. Especially upon a mouse who does not think. "And remember who lives in the barn!"
"And in the haystack," I added. Louise and I exchanged glances. What lived in the haystack didn't bear thinking about.
"Water?" Beatrice said in a strangled voice. "Europe is across water?" (2.14-16)
There's tons of stuff for these mice to be scared of—sometimes we're left wondering what these mice aren't scared of in this book. They've got to watch out for birds, snakes, barns, haystacks, and water—and that's only in the first two chapters.
Quote #2
"Fall back, Lamont!"
But he wanted his tail, and we'd come for it. He squeaked a yearning little squeak. And my instinct took over. Something had to.
I cut and ran toward the haystack, pounding past my hapless brother. (3.49-51)
Helena and Lamont are pretty scared when they're searching for his missing tail, and they know that they might come across a snake in the haystack. But even with all their fear, both characters keep charging forward. Fear can't hold Helena and Lamont back.
Quote #3
"They are packing to go this minute. The labels for first class are on the trunks. They're away across the you-know-what to marry Olive off. And leaving us high and dry. What can I do? What's to become of us?" (5.39)
Helena is worried about crossing the Atlantic Ocean—she's so afraid that she can't even say the words aloud to Aunt Fannie.
Quote #4
Cutting through the seething sea was the sharp prow of a ship. A great iron ship, trailing black smoke. A ship too big for the marble to contain, rising and falling in the restless water. My stomach rose and fell. (5.84-85)
When Helena looks into Aunt Fannie's crystal ball, she sees a sight that makes her little mouse knees going wobbly: a ship on the Atlantic Ocean. Just check out the words she uses to describe the sea—"seething" and "restless." Those aren't exactly the words of someone who's looking forward to working on their tan…
Quote #5
What if this bowler hat blew off his head? I lay in the trough of the brim, paralyzed. What did I fear more, those four fingers, big as giant sausages, gripping the brim and my whisker, or sailing off his head and out to sea? (8.47)
Poor Helena is in a serious pickle: she's trapped on Plunkett's hat during the lifeboat drill. Everywhere she looks, she sees something she's afraid of. Yikes.
Quote #6
Fear like fog rose from all three Upstairs Cranstons before those mighty doors. They were flanked by two big footmen in powdered wigs and braided coats, satin knee britches and white stockings. Buckle shoes. Guardians of the Royal Gate. (10.28)
When it comes to Princess Louise's party, the Upstairs Cranstons are scared as can be—and they don't even know that they're not on the real guest list. What do you think the Upstairs Cranstons are afraid of?
Quote #7
There just across from the Marquess and me sat Camilla. Her pretty face was pinched in fear. Her hands worked in her pink lap. I could just about read her mind. She was wondering if she should make a run for it before she was thrown out by a couple of big footmen. (10.53)
Camilla should be dancing her pants (well, dress) off at Princess Louise's shindig, but instead she's afraid that she'll be kicked out along with her family. Camilla's fears here aren't about cats or snakes. They're not even about water. Nope, for Camilla it's all about being afraid of getting embarrassed.
Quote #8
Two perky ears pointed north against Mrs. Cranston's bare flesh, below the cameo.
Saucy Beatrice looked up, beady-eyed, to catch Lady Augusta's attention. Lady Augusta was mortally afraid of mice, and there one was in the last place you'd think to look. Beatrice twitched her whiskers and batted her eyes.
The guest list dropped from Lady Augusta's hand and swooped to the carpet. Her eyes rolled back, and she fainted in slow motion, revolving as she went. (10.66-68)
Remember who the most scared little mouse was at the start of this book? Yep, it was poor little Beatrice. But now check her out—she's spending her time at the princess's party scaring mean Lady Augusta who wants to kick the Upstairs Cranstons out. It looks like Beatrice has worked up some major courage, and Lady Augusta's fear might send her fainting to the ground. But it's a good thing for the Upstairs Cranstons, because now they get to stay at the party and dance the night away.
Quote #9
Then above me a dark shadow loomed over the coiling rope, against the starry sky.
I dared look up at the awful outline of two ragged ears. Then—oh, the horror—a single burning eye, a sickening yellow. It was the ship's cat, one-eyed thanks to Nigel. And kill-crazy, as cats are.
I was numb, naturally, but alert. (11.18-20)
The ship cat is a scary foe, and Helena is one frightened mouse. Just take a look at how she describes the cat: "awful," "ragged," "burning," "sickening," and "kill-crazy." Thank goodness fear doesn't completely paralyze Helena—otherwise our story might have ended a wee bit too early.
Quote #10
But Beatrice stared right back. "I thought it was perfectly clear," she said maddeningly. "I'm staying on the ship."
We liked to have turned to stone, Louise and I. The ship? Beatrice was staying on the ship? My heart sank. Where to begin with her? "Beatrice, first of all, you are terrified of water." (15.9-10)
Beatrice has always been afraid of water, but when it comes to being in love with Nigel, that feeling takes the cake. In fact, Beatrice doesn't feel scared at all anymore. She's actually going to spend the rest of her life on a ship. Over the water. All the time. Way to conquer your fears, Beatrice.