#5

'" We're out of food, Rueben," she answered.
Having used great gestures describing the canoe I planned to purchase and the adventures we would enjoy thereafter, it irritated me that she would change the subject,
"Well, let's go get some then."
"We can't."
I really did need it spelled out for me; the truth is, I'd been wondering when Swede would take the initiative and suggest we go up to the Red Owl for groceries. We ofter did the shopping, the two of us, pulling our painted wagon, Dad's money in my pocket; in the winter we used a toboggan.
"If we spend any more money right now," she said, "we shall be broke."
Her Emphasis on shall put me in mind, as it was certainly meant to, of Pastor Reach, whose inflections left you in no doubt of his good sense. I was smitten into silence while Swede stacked dishes in the sink and ran water on them and waited for me to make myself gallant.
But I was more interested in canoes than gallantry. I was annoyed that we were our of money and Christmas almost here; also that Swede knew we were out of money before I did, and her younger then me. I was annoyed that I'd worked hard to earn twenty- five dollars and now would have to give my twenty- five dollars to Otto Schock, the Red Owl man. There was a lot to be annoyed about, and I could afford to grouse because Dad had eaten his small breakfast and thanked us and gone back straightaway to his bed of exhaustion. I stood festering in the kitchen. "You don't want the canoe, then?"
I like to believe we have all said things that approach this in stupidity (122).'

This passage made me realize how strong a nine and an eleven year old children are. When their dad is sick they go out and work for money and sacrifice things they want for the family. Even tho Ruben really didn't want to give up his twenty- five dollars for groceries, he does. An eleven year old is always thinking about themselves and what they want; to give all of this up took strong courage.
In the end of the passage Swede makes a comment about how he must not want the canoe anymore. This builds Swedes strength and ability to stay positive in some of the worst situations. They are without food, money, and a father for the moment, and she can still joke around with each other and make remarks that near the line of stupidity.
Will they find Davy?
What will they do about mr. andreeson?
How will they afford for themselves till the dad is better?
Will reuben get sick?