Quote 1
"Well," April and Melanie said to each other—only just with a look, not out loud, "wasn't that just like a boy. They got things into a mess and then expected a girl to get them out of it." But, since Toby was admitting he needed their help, they were willing to give it. (19.21-22)
Even though Toby is obviously an idiot for pretending to be the oracle (well, a smart idiot, but a little rude), the girls are still willing to help him get out of this mess. That's what friends are for, after all—bailing you out when you mess up.
Quote 2
"The gods demand that we make a horrible and bloody sacrifice." April took up Melanie's theme with relish.
"A horrible and bloody sacrifice," Melanie agreed.
"A horrible and bloody sacrifice," Marshall and Elizabeth repeated dutifully, but Elizabeth's voice quavered a little and Marshall leaned over and poked his sister. (11.6-8)
Elizabeth and Marshall go along with all of Melanie and April's Egyptian rituals, but that doesn't mean that they're not occasionally spooked by them. When April starts talking about a sacrifice, the two younger kids can't help focusing on the "horrible" and the "bloody" and wondering what happened to the make-believe.
Quote 3
"How about that?" April asked. "Did you write that too?"
"Me?" Ken said in amazement. "No way! I didn't have time to write all that. Besides, I don't even know what it means." (17.24-25)
The kids are all shocked—and a bit terrified—when the oracle actually writes back to them. How are they supposed to make sense of this new turn of events? Should they stop playing the game altogether? Or keep their eyes peeled for ghosts with really good handwriting?