How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
"Impressive?" said the voice. "She used her brother as bait!" (1.100)
That's some sisterly love for sure. At the beginning of the book, Tiffany's willing to put Wentworth in danger in order to learn more about magical river creatures—which is questionable babysitting behavior.
Quote #2
"And then you weren't the baby anymore because you had a dear little brother," said Miss Tick. "The only boy, too. That must have been a nice surprise." (2.112)
Miss Tick sees right through Tiffany's assertion that she's very fond of her little brother. She can see that Tiffany's a little ambivalent about him; after all, he took all the attention that used to be hers.
Quote #3
"He's just a nuisance!" said Tiffany. "He takes up my time and I'm always having to look after him and he always wants sweets." (2.120)
With additional members of the family comes additional responsibility. Tiffany used to be the baby, but now she has to watch the baby, and that's no fun.
Quote #4
There was only one place where it was possible for someone in a large family to be private, and that was in the privy. (3.83)
Big families may be fun and raucous, but it can be kind of hard to have a bit of alone time with everyone running around. Tiffany doesn't even have her own bedroom, so when she wants privacy she has to retreat to the bathroom.
Quote #5
"We pictsies aren't like you big folk, ye ken. Ye have many sisters? Fion here has none. She's my only daughter. A kelda might be blessed wi' only one daughter her whole life, but she'll have hundreds and hundreds o' sons." (7.47)
Tiffany's family isn't the only big one, though. The Wee Free Men travel in family clans, meaning that they have hundreds and hundreds of siblings with them all the time. It's just a guess, but planning holiday parties must be quite a headache for them.
Quote #6
"That's right!" Tiffany said, delighted. "Big fishy! And what makes it particularly interesting is that a whale isn't a fish! It is in fact a mammal, just like a cow!" (12.88)
So her annoying little brother can be bearable sometimes. After they've been through a lot of adventure (and scary monster-fleeing) together, Tiffany can't help but feel proud of her little brother's progress.
Quote #7
"Big water cow gone," he suggested meekly.
"That's right! Good boy!" said Tiffany. "When we get home, you can have one sweet!" (12.99-100)
In fact, she's so pleased with the fact that he's actually talking, that she's willing to give him a sweetie—even if it does make him sticky and gross. Guess he's growing on her.
Quote #8
"I expect it's not your fault you're so cold and heartless," said the Queen. "It's probably all to do with your parents. They probably never gave you enough time. And having Wentworth was a very cruel thing to do—they really should have been more careful." (13.13)
The Queen's trying to mess with Tiffany's head by talking to her about her family's dynamics. Love 'em or hate 'em, family's often a soft spot for people.
Quote #9
Sparking in the dark, light glittering off the white shepherdess dress and every blue ribbon and silver buckle of it, was Granny Aching, smiling hugely, radiant with pride. (13.83)
Even when she's dead, Grandma Aching doesn't abandon her grandchild or her people. She comes back to help Tiffany when she needs it the most.