‘Montana 1948.’
Quotes
Justice:
‘And that disappointed me at the time. As long as my father was going to be a
sheriff, a position with so much potential for excitement, danger and bravery, why
couldn’t some of that promise be fulfilled?’ Page 17
‘He wanted needed, power. He was a dominating man who drew sustenance and
strength from controlling others. To him, being the law’s agent probably seemed
part of a natural progression – first you master the land and its beasts, then you
regulate the behaviour of men and women.’ Page 20
‘A man who tried to turn two ways at once – towards my grandfather, who wanted
his son to continue the Hayden rule of Mercer County, and toward my mother who
wanted her husband to be merely himself and not a Hayden.’ Page 21
‘My father believed in proof, in evidence’ Page 53
‘You never said you didn’t believe it. Why is that? Why? And my father knew he was
guilty.’ Page 54
‘They couldn’t arrest us – we are the law!’
‘What about what’s already been done? What about that, that... damage?
It’s can’t be undone. That’s passed. That’s over and done.’ Page 85
That’s not the way it works. You know that. Sins – crimes – are not supposed to go
unpunished.’ Page 85
‘But he’ll know. There he’ll be, day after day. With that look. I’m not going to live
with that look.’ Page 100
‘He didn’t want to go to jail. Not here in town.’ Page 109
‘My brother, your uncle has run afoul of the law. I had to arrest him. I had no choice.’
Page 110
‘He’s acting as if this is all some kind of joke.’ Page 111
‘This isn’t about family,’ my father said. This is a legal matter.’ Page 116
‘Since when do you get arrested in this part of the country for taking a poke at a
man, red or white’ Page 118
‘We’re – your father is doing what’s right.’ But we’re the ones getting the shitty end
of the stick.’ Page 130
‘Even then I knew we were not responsible for the circumstances of our birth or the
sins of our fathers.’ Page 142
‘You can simply open that door.’
‘You don’t mean that.’
‘Oh, yes I do. Yes.’ Page 144
‘He’s guilty as sin, Gail. He told me as much.’ ‘Goddam it! What could I have been
thinking of? Maybe a jury will cut him loose. I won’t. By God I won’t.’ Page 149
‘He’d show more remorse over a dog.’; Page 150
‘I can’t let him loose. Not and live with myself.’ Page 150
‘David, I believe that in this world people must pay for their crimes. It doesn’t matter
who you are or who your relations are; if you do wrong, you pay. I believe that. I
have to.’ Page 156.
‘You see, I knew – that Uncle Frank’s suicide had solved all our problems.’ Page 161
Religion
‘Lutheran of boundless devotion’ pg 21
‘He’ll have to meet his punishment in the hereafter. I won’t do anything to arrange it
in this life.’ Page 85
‘My mother was willing to go on a lot less, on her feelings, her faith.’ Page 52
Racism
‘Good enough for the Army but not for college.’ Page 26
‘My father did not like Indians. He simply held them in low regard. Page 33
‘He wears those and soon enough he’ll be as flat footed and lazy as an Indian.’ Page
34
‘They’re not going to make it into the twentieth century until they give up their
superstitions and old ways.’ Page 42
‘I knew what he was thinking; she’s an Indian – why would she tell the truth?’
‘He’s a testimony to what hard work will get you.’ Page 58
‘ – and white, we want them white.’ Page72
Sexism
‘A girl could so easily be mistaken. A trip to the doctor. The fear. The conclusion. An
Indian girl especially. ‘ Page 119
Other:
‘I was a Hayden. I knew, for the time I was very young and without having been told, that
that meant something in Bentrock.’ Page 126
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