Quotes from Patricia MacLachlan

When I walk the path between the gardens everyone is there, Mama and Papa, the aunts, Caleb and Jack. Aunt Harriet plays the flute-- But the best thing of all is that Grandfather is there waiting for me, smiling. He gives my dog husband a bone. "Be good to Cassie," he says. "Oui," says Nick. I am astonished. I have never heard Nick speak French words. "You speak French!" I cry. "I retrieve, too," says my dog husband.

I almost got married once," said Aunt Harriet wistfully. "Me, too," said Aunt Mattie. "Not me," said Aunt Lou. " I got a dog.

It's WA today, Minna," called Orson from across the room, Orson's name for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Orson played second violin with a sloppy serenity, rolling his eyes and sticking out his tongue, his bowing long and sweeping and beautiful even when out of tune. "If you must make a mistake," he had quoted, "make it a big one." Was it Heifetz who had said it? Perlman? Zukerman maybe?

I want to be remembered in my overalls," said Aunt Lou. "You will," said Grandfather. "Believe me, you will." Mama and William laughed. "That's how we think of you," said William. "You see me every day," Aunt Lou said to William. "You don't have to remember me.

Tune, tune," said Porch briskly. He turned to Orson. "And is there a word for today?" Orson was the word person, spilling words out as if they were notes on a staff. "Rebarbative," said Orson promptly. "Causing annoyance or irritation. Mozart's rebarbative music causes me to want to throw up." Porch sighed. Orson preferred Schubert.

Old women in the house. That's all we need," grumped Grandfather. "That from an old man, of course," said Papa.

Two weeks of aunts," said Papa. "That's a lot of aunts." "They'll help," said Mama. "Oh, I know that," said Papa, laughing. "They may take over.

The aunts will love this, Jacob," said Mama. "You can pick them up at the train in style." "Better than three old women on a dapple-gray horse," said Grandfather. Papa looked back over his shoulder at Jack, who sat quietly, looking at the prairie pass by. "Zeke could handle it," he said softly to Grandfather. "Not sure the aunts could," whispered Grandfather.

Cassie. I know some things," said Mama. "What things?" "I know you watch me all the time," said Mama. I started to shake my head, but Mama stopped me. "I saw you in the night, watching. I saw you watching me with the goslings. I know you're afraid." "Grandfather told you," I whispered. "He didn't have to tell me," Mama said. "I'm smart, you know.

The ship of aunts has arrived," said Grandfather softly. "Aren't you going down?" I nodded. "You'll be nice, won't you?" I said to him. "I will be as charming as a prince," said Grandfather. "We'll see," I said. I left Grandfather laughing behind me.

I live life to the brim," she said. "And a little over the top, I'd say," said Grandfather.

Wait. I'll take you in to the doctor," she called to Grandfather. Grandfather waved his hand and climbed up the steps. "I'll do this myself," he said. Anna smiled. "I was about to ask what he was like," she said. "That's easy," I said. "He's like…" "Papa," we said at the same time, laughing.

William stopped in front of me. "Cassie," he said softly. "How do you know?" I asked. "You must be Cassie. You look just like your mama did when she was your age." "Really?" "Really. She even had braids like you." William reached out and touched my hair. "Did you tease her?" I asked. "Of course," said William. "It was my job.

What's your horse's name?" I asked Grandfather. "Jack," said Grandfather. "Papa had a horse named Jack, too," I told him. Grandfather didn't answer. "Sarah's right. You and Papa are alike," I said. I knew Grandfather wouldn't answer. And he didn't.

I'm going to town tomorrow," said Papa, carrying plates to the house. "Who needs something wonderful?" Papa looked at me. "Want to come, Cassie? Buy something perfect?" Mama smiled. "I'll have a new horse, if you don't mind," said Matthew. "You could get me a buggy," said Maggie. "With a leather top." "I'll have another piece of cake," said Grandfather, making everyone laugh.

There are no words for this.

The next day Aunt Lou was the very first up in the morning again. "I've driven a car," she said to Papa. "Now it is time to ride a horse. Only five more days before we have to go back East. It's time." "'Old lady on a dapple…'" began Jack before Mama put her hand over his mouth. Grandfather and Papa smiled.

I remember years ago when you first came here. I took a picture of you and Jacob and Caleb--he was little then. And Anna. And the dogs." He looked at Lottie and Nick. "They're a little older now." "We all are," said Mama. "Anna married Justin this past week." "So I heard," said Joshua. Joshua shook Grandfather's hand. "Hello, John," he said. "I'm older, too," said Grandfather with a smile.

Miss Skylark once said it's heroic to make something beautiful out of a blank page," I say. "With art or words.

The truth is that we know the dogs need people. But people need the dogs even more sometimes. To teach people how good they really can be.

Do you like children?" asked Cassie, staring at Grandfather. Grandfather took a spoonful of soup. "Do you? Like children?" asked Cassie again. Sarah reached out her hand and put it on Cassie's arm to stop her talk. "Don't know many," said Grandfather. "Do you like the ones you know?" "No," said Grandfather. Cassie was surprised at Grandfather's answer. Her mouth fell open.

Not a good time for him to be sick, is it? The wedding and all," said Papa. "There's never a good time," said Mama. I poured orange juice and handed it to Jack. He shook his head. "Come on, Jack," said Grandfather, picking him up. "We'll rock in the chair. We could, in fact, rock all through the wedding. They don't need us." "Sing," said Jack. "I was waiting for that," said Papa, grinning. Grandfather sighed.

I had to come," said Dr. Sam. "To have a look at the aunts." Grandfather laughed. "Well, this is Harriet, and Mattie, and Lou," said Caleb, touching each one on the shoulder. "How do you do? Didn't you have sheep by those names?" Dr. Sam asked Mama. Mama smiled. "Yes, I saw Mattie the sheep just yesterday," said Aunt Lou. "She's a bit fat.

Benny was just five and he made everyone smile. "That's Benny's job," Mama had said, "to brighten our days.