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Mr. Kamal Hadley
Sephy’s older sister, Minerva (whom Sephy calls Minnie to annoy her) is, in Sephy’s mind, her exact opposite. Sephy believes that Mother loves Minnie better because Minnie is supposedly perfect and actually likes being from a wealthy, privileged family. Because of this, the sisters aren’t close—and Minnie is distant, mean, and callous to Sephy. She’s also selfish and cares about her reputation more than anything else—when girls beat Sephy up at school, Minnie wants to know who did it, but only so that she can make sure nobody is going to beat her up. Sephy is especially hurt early in the novel when she notices Minnie in the mob protesting the integration of Heathcroft. The sisters briefly confide in each other when Mother and Mr. Hadley seem on the brink of divorce, and as Mum’s drinking gets worse and worse. Minnie advocates for both herself and Sephy to be allowed to go away to boarding school, but ultimately she’s only able to convince their parents to let Sephy go. Their relationship improves somewhat while Sephy is away, and Minnie is the first to catch on to the fact that Sephy is pregnant. But though Sephy confides in Minnie about her pregnancy, Minnie betrays Sephy’s trust and tells their parents before Sephy is ready to share.
Minerva “Minnie” Hadley Quotes in Noughts and Crosses
The Noughts and Crosses quotes below are all either spoken by Minerva “Minnie” Hadley or refer to Minerva “Minnie” Hadley. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 17
Quotes
“I’ll find out who did this and when I do—they’ll be really, really sorry.” And the look in my sister’s eyes told me that she was serious. Deadly serious. For the first time since the three pigs had started laying into me, I felt almost good. Minnie had never been on my side like this before. It was almost—but not quite—worth it if it meant Minnie and I would grow closer…
“No one touches a Hadley. No one,” Minnie stormed. “If they think they can get to you with no comeback, then it won’t be long before someone tries it on with me. I won’t have that.”
My tentative bubble of well-being was well and truly burst.
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Chapter 33
Quotes
“What’re you talking about? She’s got friends dripping out of cupboards,” I scoffed.
“Not close ones. Not real friends that she can tell anything and everything to.”
“She’s probably driven them all away with her funny moods, […] If I didn’t have to live in the same house as her I wouldn’t put up with her either.”
“She’s lonely,” said Minnie.
“Why doesn’t she just go out and make some new friends then?” I asked.
Minnie smiled, one of her superior smiles that instantly ruffled my feathers. “You’re very young, Sephy.”
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Chapter 65
Quotes
“Who’re you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”
And then I did the last thing either of us expected. I burst into tears. My sister put her arm around me then, allowing my head to rest on her shoulder—which just made me feel worse.
“Minerva, I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to, before I explode.”
“Don’t worry. I’m working on it with Dad.”
“Yeah, for yourself. But what about me?”
“No, I’m working on Dad for both of us,” said Minnie.
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Get the entire Noughts and Crosses LitChart as a printable PDF.
Minerva “Minnie” Hadley Quotes in Noughts and Crosses
The Noughts and Crosses quotes below are all either spoken by Minerva “Minnie” Hadley or refer to Minerva “Minnie” Hadley. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Chapter 17
Quotes
“I’ll find out who did this and when I do—they’ll be really, really sorry.” And the look in my sister’s eyes told me that she was serious. Deadly serious. For the first time since the three pigs had started laying into me, I felt almost good. Minnie had never been on my side like this before. It was almost—but not quite—worth it if it meant Minnie and I would grow closer…
“No one touches a Hadley. No one,” Minnie stormed. “If they think they can get to you with no comeback, then it won’t be long before someone tries it on with me. I won’t have that.”
My tentative bubble of well-being was well and truly burst.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 33
Quotes
“What’re you talking about? She’s got friends dripping out of cupboards,” I scoffed.
“Not close ones. Not real friends that she can tell anything and everything to.”
“She’s probably driven them all away with her funny moods, […] If I didn’t have to live in the same house as her I wouldn’t put up with her either.”
“She’s lonely,” said Minnie.
“Why doesn’t she just go out and make some new friends then?” I asked.
Minnie smiled, one of her superior smiles that instantly ruffled my feathers. “You’re very young, Sephy.”
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
Chapter 65
Quotes
“Who’re you trying to convince? Me or yourself?”
And then I did the last thing either of us expected. I burst into tears. My sister put her arm around me then, allowing my head to rest on her shoulder—which just made me feel worse.
“Minerva, I’ve got to get out of here. I’ve got to, before I explode.”
“Don’t worry. I’m working on it with Dad.”
“Yeah, for yourself. But what about me?”
“No, I’m working on Dad for both of us,” said Minnie.
Related Characters:
Related Themes:
Page Number and Citation:
Explanation and Analysis:
