Mrs. Arable Quotes in Charlotte's Web (1973)

Fern Arable: [Enters kitchen and puts eggs on the kitchen counter] Here are the eggs, Mama.

Mrs. Arable: [Flipping pancakes] Thank you, Fern.

Fern Arable: What's Papa doing with that axe?

Mrs. Arable: [Poors more batter on pancake griddle] Some pigs were born last night.

Fern Arable: What does he need an axe for?

Mrs. Arable: One of the pigs was a runt, so your father has to do away with it.

Fern Arable: Do away with it? You, you mean, kill it?

Mrs. Arable: Well, yes.

Fern Arable: [shocked] Just because it's smaller than the others?

Mrs. Arable: Don't yell, Fern. The pig'll probably die, anyway.

[Mrs. Arable is worried about Fern spending time only with her animal friends]

Dr. Dorian: Does she look well?

Mrs. Arable: Yes.

Dr. Dorian: Appetite's good?

Mrs. Arable: [affirmative] M-hm.

Dr. Dorian: Does she sleep well at night?

Mrs. Arable: Yes. I mean, she's right as rain in that way.

Dr. Dorian: Well, there is a name for her condition. It's called a childhood phase. And, sadly, it's something she'll grow out of.

Mrs. Arable: [Fern was about to be on her way to Wilbur] Fern, you are not going to see that pig again. It's too late.

Fern: But he's expecting me.

Mrs. Arable: And I'm expecting you to finish your homework and go straight to bed.

Fern: But, mom, I always tell him good night.

Mrs. Arable: Not tonight.

Fern: He can't sleep if I don't.

Mrs. Arable: Fern, you know better. It's a pig, okay? It's not a toy, not a doll, not a baby. A pig. And you need to start treating it like one.