There’s nothing like help when a man has a big job to do.
-- Pa (The House in the Ground paragraph 34)

Importance: Here, the Ingalls family is settling into life in their dugout house. Pa has gone out to collect willow boughs for use in elevating their beds, and Laura insists she come along. Here, the love and loyalty of family are present in Laura’s desire to help, and in Pa’s accepting of her help. Pa’s remark is not to be taken a sexist, but rather as an affirmation of equality between the members of the family as they struggle together on their new homestead.

I do wish I had a team of horses.
-- Pa (The Christmas Horses paragraph 11)

Importance: Here, Pa reflects on how spring planting will be incredibly difficult without a team of horses. With Christmas coming up, it is clear that the girls in the family must either wish for their own gifts, or wish for horses in...