How we cite our quotes: Collins doesn't use traditional chapters in The Moonstone, so the citations are a little trickier than in other Victorian novels. Citations follow this format: (Period.Narrative.Chapter.Paragraph).
Quote #7
In that happy bygone time, I was taught to keep my hair tidy at all hours of the day and night, and to fold up every article of my clothing carefully, in the same order, on the same chair, in the same place at the foot of the bed, before retiring to rest. An entry of the day's events in my little diary invariably preceded the folding up. The 'Evening Hymn' (repeated in bed) invariably followed the folding up. (2.1.1.2)
Miss Clack opens her narrative by describing her memories of childhood. Perhaps she thinks that the precision and detail of her childhood memories will help to assure the reader that her memory of the more recent events surrounding the Moonstone are just as accurate and detailed.
Quote #8
[…] I have continued to fold my clothes, and to keep my little diary. The former habit links me to my happy childhood—before papa was ruined. (2.1.1.3)
Miss Clack uses her mundane habits of folding her clothes and keeping her diary as a way of feeling connected to her "happy childhood" memories of before her father lost his money.
Quote #9
'But I had no happy time to look back at, no past peace of mind to force itself into contrast with my present anxiety and suspense—and I held firm to my resolution through it all.' (2.3.9.33)
Ezra Jennings suggests that having happy memories makes it more difficult to stick to a difficult resolution during hard times, because those happy memories form such a strong contrast to present unhappiness.