Quote 7
"Santiago," the boy said to him as they climbed the bank from where the skiff was hauled up. "I could go with you again. We’ve made some money." (1.4)
Only the boy, not the narrator, refers to the old man by name. This suggests that the boy knows him in a way that few do.
Quote 8
"Yes," the old man said. He was holding his glass and thinking of many years ago.
"Can I go out to get sardines for you for tomorrow?"
"No. Go and play baseball. I can still row and Rogelio will throw the net."
"I would like to go. If I cannot fish with you. I would like to serve in some way." (1.17-1.20)
The boy’s love for the old man manifests itself in a desire to help him.
Quote 9
Where did you wash? the boy thought. The village water supply was two streets down the road. I must have water here for him, the boy thought, and soap and a good towel. Why am I so thoughtless? I must get him another shirt and a jacket for the winter and some sort of shoes and another blanket. (1.112)
The boy feels so deeply for the old man that nothing he does seems enough to him.