“Miss Slighcarp reeled under the impact—her bonnet came off, so did her gray hair, which, apparently, was a wig, leaving her bald, dripping, and livid with rage.”

This moment connects Miss Slighcarp’s characterization both with deception, because of the wig, and with violence with her rage at Bonnie and Pattern. Miss Slighcarp is immediately characterized as villainous, and that characterization continues throughout the book.

“‘Now remember, dear child,’ she said, kissing Sylvia and looking suspiciously round the empty compartment, ‘never speak to strangers, tip all the servants immediately…and if anyone except the guard speaks to you, pull the communication cord.’”

Aunt Jane’s farewell to Sylvia introduces the theme of The Dual Nature of Strangers. Aunt Jane “looking suspiciously” and her subsequent caution to never speak with strangers establishes the potential risk of strangers.

“Another instant, and a wolf precipitated itself through the aperture thus formed. It turned snarling on the sleeping stranger, who started awake with an oath, and very adroitly flung his cloak over the animal. He then seized one of the shattered pieces of glass lying on the floor and stabbed the imprisoned beast through the cloak. It fell dead.”

The wolf attack in the train directly ties the stranger, Mr. Grimshaw, with the threatening presence of the wolves. That connection foreshadows the dangers that Mr. Grimshaw brings to Willoughby Chase, invoking The Dual Nature of Strangers, as Mr. Grimshaw is not as friendly as he initially seems.

“But the train chugged on its way without slowing, and the wolves came and went in the shadows of the trees, never approaching very near, so that she felt it would be cowardly to disturb him, and as long as there was no immediate danger she greatly preferred to let him sleep on.”

The imagery of the wolves in this description ties them to Mr. Grimshaw, solidifying their role as symbolic of threat. Sylvia’s preference to avoid waking Grimshaw shows her general timidity, and putting the danger of the wolves in direct relation to the potential danger of a stranger emphasizes The Dual Nature of Strangers.

“There was something magical about this ride which Sylvia was to remember for the rest of her life—the dark, snow-scented air blowing constantly past them, the boundless wold and forest stretching away in all directions before and behind, the tramp and jingle of the horses, the snugness and security of the carriage, and above all Bonnie’s happy welcoming presence beside her.”

The imagery in this passage both introduces The Importance of Friendship with “Bonnie’s happy welcoming presence” comforting and warming Sylvia, and is the only blatant suggestion that there is a “magical” element in the world of the novel. The natural world figures prominently in this passage, connecting the forest with the mystical and with the “security” of friendship.

“Sylvia was much struck by this thought on the part of her uncle, and astonished at the lavishness of having six pairs made for one to be chosen. Likewise, Pattern pulled out a whole series of white fur caps and pelisses, and tried them against Sylvia until she found the ones that fitted.”

This passage furthers the clothes motif, connecting it to the kindness and generosity of Sylvia’s aunt and uncle and Sylvia’s elevation in social status. Although she is “astonished at the lavishness,” Sylvia’s primary response to this plenty is gratitude that she was thought of so thoroughly, reinforcing the meekness and modesty of her character.

“And more curious still, she could feel a number of live creatures pushing against her legs, almost overbalancing her. They were soft and smooth, and she could hear an angry hissing coming from them which almost drowned the clamor of the wolves outside.”

This first introduction of the geese presents them as mysterious, and potentially dangerous as they bump against Sylvia in the darkness. However, they are contrasted with the genuine threat of the wolves outside as they “almost drown” out the howls. The geese will become a key symbol of The Importance of Friendship in the novel.

“Bonnie, somewhat to her cousin’s alarm and amazement, handled the gun confidently and soon satisfied herself of its being in excellent order and ready to fire.”

Sylvia is bothered by guns every time she encounters them, which demonstrates her general timidity. However, Bonnie’s ability to handle this weapon shows her strength and propensity to independence, even though, at this point in the novel, she has yet to learn any other practical skill.

“‘This is not my frock, Pattern,’ said Sylvia, looking admiringly at the clothes the maid had brought her. There was a soft, thick woolen dress in a beautifully deep shade of blue that exactly matched her eyes. ‘It is a great deal prettier than anything of mine.’”

This passage continues the clothes motif, with Sylvia’s awe at the finery she’s offered reflecting Sylvia’s prior experiences with poverty. Simultaneously, this passage highlights the thoughtfulness of Bonnie’s family, as they assumed Sylvia would need appropriate clothing and supplied something beautiful.

“Miss Sylvia, dear! Thank the good Lord I saw you. That wicked Jezebel is paying us all off and sending us away, but she needn’t think I’m going to go and leave my darling Miss Bonnie. Do you and she come along to the little blue powder room, Miss Sylvia, this afternoon at five, and we’ll talk over what’s best to be done.”

Pattern’s insistence on staying at the Chase, resisting Miss Slighcarp’s assumed authority, demonstrates The Importance of Friendship. Pattern is shown here to be a true friend to the girls, and not merely an employee of the family.

“The rest of the journey passed in silence. Both children were utterly cast down at this failure of their plan, and Bonnie was almost numb with grief and despair over the news about her parents. Try as she would to control herself, tear after tear slipped from under her eyelids, and the utmost that she could achieve was that she wept in silence. She was too proud to let Miss Slighcarp guess her misery. Sylvia guessed it and longed to comfort her, but the bony bulk of the governess was between them.”

In the beginning of the novel, Bonnie comforts Sylvia, establishing their friendship. Here, Sylvia’s feelings toward Bonnie show The Importance of Friendship in the experience of adversity, as she now long to comfort Bonnie in turn.

“She undressed in the pitch dark and fumbled her way into the bed, which was narrow, hard, and inadequately covered. ‘I’ll never get to sleep,’ she thought, as she lay shivering miserably, trying to summon up courage to thrust her feet into the chilly depths of the bed. She could hear the mill hooters wail, and iron wheels clang on the cobbles; somewhere a church clock struck midnight. The whole of her short stay among the riches and splendors of Willoughby Chase seemed like a dream.”

Sylvia’s experience her first night at the school emphasizes the difference between the Chase and much of the rest of the world. This passage demonstrates the vast differences of class and wealth in the 19th century, as the new meager existence at Mrs. Brisket’s school is contrasted with the “riches and splendors of Willoughby Chase.”

“It’s a horrible place! But don’t let anyone hear you say so! The school is full of tale bearers. Everyone is always hungry—and Mrs. Brisket rewards anyone who carries her a tale against another person. She gives them a bit of cheese. She has a big laundry basket in her room full of bits of cheese, ready cut up.”

The description of the school by Emma demonstrates Mrs. Brisket’s goal to keep the pupils disloyal to one another through food-oriented punishment. Her active work to keep the girls apart emphasizes The Importance of Friendship, as the girls working together could threaten her power and authority.

“Then Sylvia realized that, as the beds were insufficient for the number of children in the school, half of them slept by night and half by day. The night workers were always dropping with fatigue, as they were liable to be roused for duties in the daytime too, but just the same they were envied, as they performed their tasks without the fierce supervision of Mrs. Brisket.”

This passage is reminiscent of many 19th-century and Golden Age Children’s literature in its vivid portrayal of privation. The harsh living and working conditions for the children, which is allowed largely because of their orphaned status, was common in the Victorian era, and many novels described the conditions in depth as a path to reform.

“Bonnie, who was as strong as a pony, bore her two days’ starvation with stoical fortitude. Twice Sylvia slipped her a piece of bread, but the second time she was caught by Alice, who snatched the bread and ate it herself, subsequently reporting the affair to Mrs. Brisket. Sylvia then had to forgo her own supper, and after that Bonnie would not let her sacrifice herself.”

The girls help each other as much as possible at the school, demonstrating The Importance of Friendship. Even in an atmosphere of distrust, punishment, and cruelty, they maintain their loyalty to one another and cement their relationship firmly.

“Six months ago Bonnie would have slapped her back, and heartily, but she was learning patience and self-command. To be embroiled in a struggle with Diana was not part of her plan, though she longed to box the girl’s ears.”

Bonnie’s self-control in the confrontation with Diana demonstrates her considerable development as a character. She has learned to channel her desire for justice and think ahead, rather than act impulsively, which highlights The Impact of Independence.

“You make a proper boy in those things, haircut and all.”

Simon’s playful commentary on Bonnie’s appearance here shows an important aspect of her personality. Though she’s a pretty girl, her strength and self-command allow her to straddle traditional Victorian gender roles and challenge the expectations of those around her.

“Then a face appeared over the half door and the smith came out. He was an immensely tall man, wearing a blackened leather apron. Bonnie couldn’t help smiling, he looked so like a large, gentle, white-haired lion, with a pair of dark eyes like those of a collie dog, half-hidden by the locks of white hair that fell over his forehead.”

The description of Mr. Wilderness is the first clear example of the positive element of The Dual Nature of Strangers. Though Bonnie doesn’t know Mr. Wilderness, and certainly has reason to distrust new adults, she sees him as he is—a kind helper interested only in her well-being.

“They read aloud to each other, and Simon, who had never bothered about reading before, learned how, and even pronounced it quite a handy accomplishment. He also took a keen pleasure in making use of Bonnie’s box of colors, and sometimes could hardly be torn away from some view of a crag or waterfall that he was busy sketching.”

The journey to London strengthens the connections between the three children, highlighting The Importance of Friendship. In this case, Simon’s ability to advance in his education is largely due to the help and encouragement of Sylvia and Bonnie. Although he has been their protector and helper, here they repay him, supporting his development.

“She dreamed that she was on top of a mountain, the black ridge that they had crossed before they reached Herondale. She saw Miss Slighcarp coming up from Blastburn at the head of a pack of wolves. Sylvia was dumb with fright. She was unable to move. Nearer and nearer Miss Slighcarp came, tramp, tramp, tramp…”

Sylvia’s dream firmly connects the wolves to Miss Slighcarp and heightens the intensity of the sense of danger, even after the children have successfully come to London. The dream further acts as a warning that Mr. Grimshaw, as agent of Miss Slighcarp, is coming up the stairs.

“He appeared excessively surprised to see the children and the manacled Mr. Grimshaw. Bonnie soon decided that he could not have hatched a dark plot to obtain possession of Willoughby Chase—he looked too kind and harmless.”

Bonnie’s reaction to Mr. Gripe emphasizes The Dual Nature of Strangers. She has learned to carefully evaluate strangers because they can be risky, but she’s also learned to trust her own senses when she sees obvious kindness. The fact that Mr. Gripe was also deceived by Miss Slighcarp acknowledges that adults, just like the child characters, can sometimes misjudge strangers and end up manipulated.

“There were no wolves to be seen on this journey. The packs had all retreated to the bleak north country, and the train ran through smiling pasture lands, all astir with sheep and lambs, or through green and golden woods carpeted with bluebells.”

The removal of the wolves from the description of the train trip to Willoughby Chase shows that the threat posed by Miss Slighcarp is also fading away. As the winter ends and the real wolves run away, so too will Miss Slighcarp and her cronies be ejected from Willoughby Chase.

“The orphans, still dazed at their good fortune, sat at a table of their own, eating roast turkey and kindly averting their gaze from the pale cheeks and red eyes of Diana Brisket, who, having been in a position to bully and hector as much as she pleased, was now reduced to a state where she had not a friend to stand by her.”

The girls from Mrs. Brisket’s school have every reason to treat Diana Brisket harshly. However, they have demonstrated they understand The Importance of Friendship, and in this scene “kindly [avert] their gaze” to avoid embarrassing her and making her too aware of her misfortune.