Ramona considered all these worries ridiculous, so she ignored them.
Swell, just swell,” muttered Howie. “Twenty-nine kids laughing at me in girls’ socks carrying a stupid little pillow.
She told us we must always rotate our crops and never, never perjure ourselves.
Being kissed by Gerhart was disappointing. I had expected a kiss to feel more like the time in Yamhill when I stuck my finger in the electric socket, only nice.
Only grown-ups would say boots were for keeping feet dry. Anyone in kindergarten knew that a girl should wear shiny red or white boots on the first rainy day, not to keep her feet dry, but to show off. That’s what boots were for – showing off, wading, splashing, stamping.
Dad quietly observed Mother’s relentless control over me, and my growing desperation. When escape was unexpectedly offered, he saw it as an opportunity, not only for a year of college, but as a way of ending my relationship with Gerhart. As I look back, I can see that my father, even though I did not ask, always understood what I wanted – roller skates, a hard sponge-rubber ball, a hemp jump rope, a bicycle, and now, freedom. I was leaving.
But maybe when he has worked at ShopRite longer, he will like it better. New jobs take getting used to.
As a child I very much objected to books that tried to teach me something. I just wanted to read for pleasure, and I did.
Nobody understood. She wanted to behave herself. Except when banging her heels on the bedroom wall, she had always wanted to behave herself. Why couldn’t people understand how she felt?
Nobody had to tell Ramona about disappointment.
Ramona was filled with the glory of losing her first tooth and love for her teacher. Miss Binney had said she was brave! This day was the most wonderful day in the world! The sun shone, the sky was blue, and Miss Binney loved her.
Ramona, are you having problems with your income tax?” Mrs. Quimby asked, behaving as if she were serious even though she was joking.
Ramona wished she could run, run, run out of that classroom as she had the day before and never come back.
Didn’t grown-ups think children worried about anything but jack-o’-lanterns? Didn’t they know children worried about grown-ups?
A shivery feeling ran down Ramona’s backbone, as if magic were taking place.
My, Juanita, you’re getting to be a big girl. How old are you? I can’t keep track.
I remember when Ramona named one of her dolls Chevrolet after the car.” Everyone laughed.
I know,” answered Yard Ape, “but we just keep him for a pet.
She tried to make up for speaking so disagreeably by stroking him, but Clawed merely turned his head long enough to give her a look that said, You are not my friend.
No,” said Ramona. “He’s the kind of grown-up who teases children and thinks he’s funny.