How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"The Cranstons will never get Olive off their hands by staying home. Olive is pushing twenty-one without a man in sight. And so they're going to have to try Europe." (1.36)
Helena has figured out why the Upstairs Cranstons are moving to Europe: Olive needs to get married. Back in the 19th century girls were expected to get hitched pretty young, so turning twenty-one is a sign that Olive needs to find a hubby as fast as she can.
Quote #2
"Cranstons?" the white mouse said. "Party of four? Americans? Mister? Missus? Two young ladies? One pretty, one not-so-much? 'Usband-'unting?"
What? Oh—husband hunting. (6.36-37)
Nigel gives us an interesting phrase to talk about Olive's search for a spouse: "husband hunting." This phrase makes it sound like Olive is on the prowl and her husband is prey to be caught. What do you think of this analogy? How is Olive like a hunter? Are there ways in which she's more like the hunted prey instead?
Quote #3
"They are 'usband—husband-hunting for Olive."
"They are off to a very poor start, I'm bound to say. They have fallen at the first fence." The Duchess shook her head. "Moreover they've picked the wrong ship. We are sailing very short of rank. There are only three unmarried Englishmen of title on the entire passenger list. Three only." (7.32-33)
When Helena chats with Duchess Cheddar Gorge about Olive's marriage prospects, things look bleak—the Duchess even knows precisely how many gents are on board the ship. Of course the Duchess is only counting men of a certain rank, though, which means she's identifying only upper class men as suitable for Olive. What do you think of this assumption? How is class part of the marriage decision for Olive or Camilla?
Quote #4
On the days that followed, the entire ship could talk of nothing but the sudden romance that had broken out between Camilla and Lord Peter Henslowe. A whirlwind romance had burst into being at a royal reception with the breaking of a string of pearls. But that's the way with an ocean voyage: Dynasties have been decided.
[…]
"Thanks to me," Louise endlessly recalled, "Camilla has snagged Lord Peter Henslowe, a major catch. Truly top-notch. His family—the Henslowes, you know—have two castles and a house in London. They ride to hounds. Hounds, my dears. Lord Peter will be an earl one day, and that will make Camilla a countess. A countess." Oh how Louise preened. She grinned and grinned to show her useful teeth. We were meant to remember pearls pattering at a certain social occasion. (12.19-21)
Where would Camilla and Lord Peter be without Louise? They sure wouldn't be on the road to marriage since we've got Louise's meddling to thank for Camilla's new romance. And check out how quickly these lovebirds go from meeting each other to possibly getting married—things move fast on this ship.
Quote #5
Louise's brain was running riot. She babbled on. "Still, since Camilla is going to end up as Her Ladyship, married to Lord Peter Henslowe, and living in two castles and their London place, I will naturally make my home with them. Camilla and I have never been parted, you know." (12.43)
Human marriage means changes for mice—but not too many changes. After all, Louise figures that she has a bond that can't be broken. Even by the handsome Lord Peter.
Quote #6
"We have not blundered off to the ends of the earth to marry this girl off. She's only sixteen years old!"
"Seventeen, Papa," said Camilla, cool as anything. "Eighteen in the fall. I will have my hair up by then. Peter and I will gladly wait six months. After all, it will take that much time to plan the wedding."
"Oh! The wedding!" Mrs. Cranston cried. "The wedding! What shall I wear?"
An awful silence fell. Fumes seemed to rise from Mr. Cranston. Sulfurous fumes. "Six months?" he said in a low and dangerous voice. "Six months?" Once again he rounded on Mrs. Cranston.
"Woman," he said, "you seem to forget this whole business was to get Olive off our—to get Olive married. NOT CAMILLA!" (13.24-27)
Mr. and Mrs. Cranston sure do have different reactions to Camilla's upcoming marriage: Mr. C things it's the worst thing to happen in the history of the world, and Mrs. C thinks is the greatest thing ever. Why do you think they react so differently?
Quote #7
She looked quite dignified in an older-sister way. She looked nice.
"I am myself engaged to be married, Papa."
Mr. Cranston liked to have bulged out of his wing collar. "What the—"
"To the ship's doctor, Papa. Dr. Fanshawe." […]
Olive smiled. Quite a pleasant smile. (13.33-36, 41)
Olive has huge news for her family: she's getting hitched. And according to Helena, this has a pretty positive effect on Olive's looks. Remember how Helena used to talk about Olive? It was mostly about how Olive would have trouble nabbing a husband; now that she's engaged, Helena says Olive looks "dignified," "nice," and "pleasant." What do you think of this change?
Quote #8
I scanned the future and saw—deep within a great gray and gold-tipped palace—a wondrous scene. There were sprays of white lily of the valley, artfully arranged, and petals of orange blossom.
I saw Beatrice there in the center of this scene, Beatrice blushing in white. And myself and Louise, tastefully attired and holding small nosegays of seasonal flowers. Bridesmaids.
And now I heard quite different music—a wedding march. (14.53-55)
Marriage isn't just for the human folks in this novel—when it comes to marriage Helena can't help but daydream about Beatrice and Lord Peter. She figures these two are going to get hitched and she'll get to be a bridesmaid. Of course Helena is just a wee bit wrong in her prediction, but we still know how important it is to Helena that her little sis gets a palace wedding.
Quote #9
"Beatrice," I said reasonably, "you do understand Lord Peter's position in English society as Mouse Equerry, don't you? You grasp that one day it is entirely possible that you could be a mouse countess. A countess, Beatrice."
"Two castles," Louise said.
Beatrice goggled at us. "But I love Nigel. And naturally Nigel loves me," she said. It was love at first sight." (15.24-26)
When it comes to marriage, Beatrice doesn't care about rank and title—even though rich Lord Peter likes her, she's going for Nigel instead. But it's a different story for her sisters. Check out how much Helena and Louise focus on Lord Peter's rank. Helena keeps talking about Beatrice being a countess, and for Louise it's all about the castles.
Quote #10
The wedding guests made a path for her across the Persian carpet, leading to the fender before the hearth. She was a lovely bride, of course, and you know how Beatrice likes to be the center of attention. Several of the foreign mice dropped curtsies as she passed, not quite knowing whether she was royal or not.
From a small explosion of tulle between her ears, a train of point lace fully six inches long flowed down behind her. It was white lace, ivory with age—a snippet off Queen Victoria's own train from her long-ago wedding day. (16.16-17)
Beatrice has a pretty spectacular wedding, and even though she and Nigel aren't royalty they still get hitched inside a palace—Beatrice even wears a veil made from Queen Victoria's lace. Ooh la la, right?