Chains Chapter 1

Our narrator, Isabel, and her sister, Ruth, were slaves owned by Miss Mary Finch. Miss Finch has passed away and Robert Finch, her nephew has burying her. On the way to the graveyard, Isabel gets a few moments to visit her deceased mother burial spot. She had died of small pox.

With Miss Mary’s death a promised day has arrived. Isabel hopes to see the ghost of her mother to discuss this special day and tell her what Isabel will need to do.

Chapter 2

The special day was to be where the Isabel and Ruth gain their freedom. After the funeral, the girls find out that they will be sold. This decision was made by Mr. Robert Finch.

Conflict – 1) The girls should be free according to Miss Mary’s will, but yet no one will get the will.

Conflict – 2) They will be sold elsewhere and possibly split up.

Signpost – Memory Moment of the girls’ father being beaten as he is taken from them. Isabel refers to him as a lion.

Chapter 3

Mr. Finch arrives at a tavern in Newport, Rhode Island owned by Jenny and Bill. Mr. Finch wants to sell the girls quickly at the tavern because he wants to make money fast and get rid of the girls in case there is a will.

Jenny, who knew Momma, offered to buy the girls but Mr. Finch sells the girls to Mr. and Mrs. Lockton, loyalists during the revolution.

Chapter 4

The Lockton’s, Ruth, and Isabel travel from Newport, Rhode Island to New York City by boat, but it's hardly a first-class cruise. Isabel finds herself secretly hoping for a shipwreck, preferably at a place that doesn't have slavery.

Chapter 5

When the ship docks in New York, Madam Lockton throws a hissy fit over a giant walnut chest that the soldiers guarding the dock want to inspect. She says it has her underwear in it. While all this is going on, a friend, Charles, approaches Mr. Lockton and informs his that Bellingham, a local official in charge of arresting traitors to the cause of independence, is looking for reasons to lock him up for his continued loyalty to the King. Elihu dispels rumors that he and his family have gone to London, claiming that he's on the side of Patriots, but Bellingham doesn't buy it.

The battle over Madam Lockton's walnut chest isn't over yet, though we're starting to think there might be more to this than her alleged undies. What we do know is that there's something kind of comical about all this, and it's not lost on Ruth, who starts to giggle.

When Madam asks which one of the girls was laughing at her, Isabel quickly takes the blame, and Madam smacks her cheek hard. The Great Underwear Chest Debacle is resolved and it's decided that the Lockton’s can return home with it. They decide to send Isabel on ahead to get clean water. Bellingham's slave in the red hat—whose name is Curzon—agrees to accompany Isabel and give her the grand tour.

Chapter 6

Curzon takes Isabel to the Tea Water Pump, where the rich people get their water because it's tasty and clear.

As he shows her around the city, Curzon has a lot of things to say about the current political situation. For starters he says, Lockton's a "dirty Loyalist" for opposing independence for the colonies. He tries to persuade Isabel to join the rebels along with him and his master and be a spy. If she does, he's certain that Colonel Regan, the Patriot officer Bellingham works with, would reward her by helping her and Ruth win their freedom.

Isabel tells him she doesn't understand how she's supposed to discover information if they won't talk around her. Curzon says that people like Lockton consider their slaves to be objects without ears and will say most anything in front of them, no matter how dangerous the information is.

Signposts

1) Words to the Wiser – Curzon explains that the Lockton’s will discuss Loyalist plans in front of her because she’s not considered important.

2) Words to the Wiser - If you do what you are to this is not a bad place to be.

3) Tough Question – Why am I forced into this life of slavery?

Chapter 7

Curzon escorts Isabel across the mile walk to the Locktons' house. Once she arrives, she meets Becky Berry, the housekeeper. She explains Isabel's duties to her—going to the Tea Water Pump every day and helping Becky with shopping—and the rules of the house, which mainly consist of not going off by herself without a pass (kind of like a hall pass, except for going into the city) and not dawdling during work.

Becky explains to Isabel that whatever she does, she can't get her loyalties confused; because the Locktons support the King's side of the conflict, that makes their slaves Loyalists, too.

Lady Clarissa Seymour, Mr. Lockton's rich aunt, is dropping by later that day to hear the news of the “Boston Uprising.” Becky explains that while the Locktons hope to inherit money when Lady Seymour.

Chapter 8

Isabel is busy as the Locktons' new slave. Because Becky lives in a boarding house some distance away and primarily does the cooking, Isabel's responsibilities actually include doing pretty much everything not involving food. On this particular morning, Isabel can't find Ruth. Becky tells her that Madam has made Ruth her own private servant, dressing her in finery and forcing her to attend to her personal needs. Becky warns Isabel not to cross Madam concerning her sister, because she's known to be particularly harsh on disobedient slaves.

Because Ruth is with Madam all the time, she and Isabel never see each other anymore. Lying awake at night, Isabel begins to consider Curzon's offer to become a spy for the rebels.

Chapter 9

General Washington and his army are parading down Broadway, complete with musicians. Madam and her husband are obviously uninterested in all things Washington, Ruth attends to Madam's needs, and Isabel is sitting on the back steps sharpening knives.

Isabel almost doesn't hear Becky calling her for help. Madam is in the parlor with Lady Seymour and Ruth, who is dressed in her fine clothes yet it looks like she's been crying. Isabel's immediately concerned about this, but remembering Becky's advice, holds her tongue. Isabel introduces herself as "Isabel Finch," but Madam uses it as an occasion to abruptly change her name to "Sal Lockton." Sal is sent to the library to wait on Lockton and his three friends. They're talking about the coming arrival of the British fleet and she hears Lockton saying something about having enough money to bribe the rebel army.

She peeks through the crack and sees Madam's walnut chest open on the floor, her underwear thrown everywhere. Apparently no one cares about the dignity of ladies' underthings anymore, because Isabel discovers that the he chest is actually packed with cash. Lockton states the plan: Any rebel willing to switch sides will be given a large sum of money plus two hundred acres of land, plus additional acres if he has a wife and children. She must tell Curzon.

Chapter 10

At bedtime, Isabel puts her plan into action. She sneaks up the cellar stairs, prepared to tell anyone who sees her that she's going to the privy, but she's going to bring news of Lockton's bribery to Curzon. She runs the streets until she reaches Bellingham's home and tells Curzon about what she saw in the library. Curzon agrees to take the news to his master the next morning.

Chapter 11

Becky wakes up Isabel and the busy day starts. Isabel's wish comes true, and Bellingham arrives with a team of soldiers. The soldiers start prying the windows apart, saying that they need the lead in the counterweights to make bullets, but the real mission is finding Madam's linen chest.

Isabel approaches the bedchamber to find Madam sitting on it and refusing to move. Lockton, however, tells her there's nothing to be concerned about, and she moves. We soon discover why he's so chill about all this: The money's gone. He hid it in a false bottom in the drawer. Regardless, Bellingham still arrests Lockton out of suspicion for helping the British cause.

Chapter 12

After the search of the house, Becky sends Isabel to get Lady Seymour to assist Madam. Once Isabel gets there, she describes the scene over at the Locktons'. Lady Seymour writes a note for Isabel to deliver to the lawyer's office and another to Madam, explaining that Lockton will soon be released.

Apparently, Lady Seymour has connections. She is also very kind and offers Isabel more food and a glass of milk before she leaves.

Chapter 13

As promised, Lockton gets out of jail and returns home to find Madam packing to flee to Charleston. They have a giant smack down of a fight that involves various household objects being flung across the bedroom. 

Lockton continues to have his Loyalist buddies visit over the next several days and asks Isabel to serve them drinks. As a result, she gathers a lot of information about the fallout from Lockton's arrest. She learns that one of Lockton's friends fled the city and is suspected of giving away their secret to Bellingham; Isabel is relieved to know that she is not under any suspicion. 

Disappointed that no one has freed her yet, Isabel tries to make the best of her and Ruth's situation. She tidies up the corner of the cellar where they sleep, makes Ruth a doll out of cornhusks to replace the one she had to leave behind in Rhode Island, and plants her mother's seeds.

Signposts

1) Again and Again – The seeds are mentioned again.

Chapter 14

Lockton has very important guests in the library, including the mayor of New York himself. Allowing Isabel to stay and serve she hears of Lockton's guests explain that their plan to bribe the Patriots hasn't gone over very well. The only way to stop the rebellion is to assassinate General George Washington.

Obviously, this is kind of a big decision for the Lockton Gang to make. With the colonies and Britain about to erupt into war, they could be executed, so as an insurance policy, Lockton orders that they write down the names of everyone who knows of the plot on a piece of paper, to guarantee that the others will come to his aid if the plot is uncovered. Isabel pretends to be unaware of the conversation, but secretly, she's taking notes and naming names.

Sal s being a good spy gathering information, at least until a deathly scream comes from the kitchen.

Chapter 15

Madam says that the devil is in the kitchen. It is: Ruth is having a seizure on the floor and Madam thinks she's demon possessed. Madam responds by beating Ruth with a broom and screaming for the devil to leave. Ruth is defenseless and unaware of what's happening, which makes this latest act of abuse particularly sickening. 

Lockton comes in, his meeting evidently interrupted or over, and demands to know what's happening. He and his wife argue about whether or not Ruth should be sold on account of her alleged affiliation with the devil, but Lockton declares that she is necessary to their household and that the matter is closed.

Chapter 16

After the disaster with Ruth's seizure, Isabel finally realizes that there's no way out: She and her sister have to get out of New York, and the plot to kill Washington is powerful enough to help them do it. Isabel breaks into Lockton's library desk and steals the list of names, then sneaks out of the house. She makes her way to the Battery, the fort that serves as headquarters of the Patriots, dodging the authorities along the way. 

Get to the Rebels

Once she gains an audience with Colonel Regan, she explains both the list of names and the situation she and Ruth find themselves in. Regan promises to investigate, which is a long way from an actual plan or promise, but it gives Isabel hope anyway. Regan orders Isabel to put the list back in her master's desk

and to go about her business as if nothing happened. He tells her that if she hears of anything else, she must come and report back to him, and gives her the secret password to get into the camp: ad astra, a Latin phrase that means to the stars.

Chapter 17

Isabel spends the next two days anxiously waiting to hear from Colonel Regan. One of Lockton's co-conspirators shows up at his house with news that their secret is out. Lockton tells Madam that he'll be fleeing New York to avoid arrest. Not surprisingly, this erupts into another fight, during which he shoves his wife into the bookcase and beats her. Shortly after, a carpenter nails Lockton into a crate for hauling cheese and loads it onto a cart.

At dawn, soldiers arrive to arrest Lockton. Their search of the house turns up nothing, because Lockton ran away in a cheese crate. When they leave, Becky orders Isabel to clean up the mess they left behind and goes to the market.

The Patriots have basically started arresting conspirators against the cause of. Hickey, one of the conspirators who also served Washington in the military, let the plot against Washington slip, which is kind of a dumb move since he's the one who was supposed to kill him. By all accounts, Lockton was able to escape and is safe.

Chapter 18

All are welcome to attend the public hanging of one Thomas Hickey, the near-assassin of General George Washington. Isabel, our narrator, is going and although she doesn't really want to see a guy die in public, she is just hoping to connect with Colonel Regan so that he can live up to his end of the bargain and get her and Ruth away from the Lockton’s. Unfortunately, though, he's nowhere to be spotted in the enormous crowd. Curzon comes over and says hello and even lifts Ruth up onto his shoulders so she can see the scaffold better.

Hickey's sentence is pronounced and he's hanged for treason against the colonies. Isabel covers Ruth's eyes and closes hers so neither can watch.

Chapter 19

Isabel and Ruth are at church with the Mrs. Lockton and Lady Seymour. The girls are seated in the upstairs gallery for the slaves, when a boy interrupts the service to announce that the British have invaded the harbor. Basically, all breaks loose: Loyalists (like the Locktons) hope that the invasion will be their deliverance, while the rebels are furious at their arrival and starting to riot all over the place

.

Then, in the middle of all this madness, Ruth has another seizure. Frozen in one spot, a blank expression comes over her face as her teeth chatter. Madam is suspicious about what's happening, but Isabel gets away with telling her Ruth is just tired..

Isabel believes it's time to touch base with Bellingham or the Colonel to demand that they live up to their ends of the bargain she made with them

Chapter 20

The British have invaded, things are kind of out of control. Madam is super moody and irritable and there's still no word from Bellingham or Regan; even Curzon is nowhere to be seen. Ten days later, news breaks that the Continental Congress

has declared independence from Great Britain. There's some serious partying, cheering, and celebrating in New York. The celebrations only increase when a mob pulls down the city's statue of King George and then chops it up with an axe. The mob decides to melt the lead down and make bullets to fire at the British.

When Isabel comes home from watching all of this, Becky tells her something quite odd: Madam wants both of the girls to be fed sweet, nourishing food and that Isabel is to get the night off. She even baked them gingerbread and made a sweet milk beverage filled with spices. Isabel wonders if Madam's received a massive head injury, but welcomes the break from her usual moodiness. Meanwhile, we think there's trouble afoot—after all, Madam isn't given to random acts of kindness. Isabel wants to use her night off to read a book in the library, but finds that she can't keep her eyes open. She quickly falls asleep, and tells us that she can't ever forgive herself for doing so.

Chapter 21

When Isabel wakes up, she realizes to her horror that she's slept late—and Ruth is nowhere to be found. When she confronts Becky about Ruth's whereabouts, Becky dances around the question until Isabel finally demands an answer. It is as she fears: Madam sold Ruth the night before and has sent her to the West Indies.

.

Isabel confronts Madam about the news. In her anger, Madam grabs a painting off the wall and smashes it over Isabel's head, so Isabel runs out of the house and into the street, not caring about how badly it looks to be a slave running down the street as Madam Lockton chases you. 

In her mind, there's only one clear solution to all this: Go to Colonel Regan and demand that he make good on his promise. She goes to his headquarters and shouts the ad astra code until someone lets her in and takes her to the Colonel. Before she even gets a chance to open her mouth, though, Madam barges in and demands to know what's going on. Madam berates Isabel to Regan for her disobedience, while Isabel begs him to help her. Regan's sentries, though, pressure him against keeping his promise. He tells Isabel that his hands are tied—by law, he can't interfere with Madam's property. In one last attempt at freedom, Isabel runs for an open window and almost makes it out before being pulled back in.

Chapter 22

From this point on, Isabel has little to no idea what's happening to her. Outside, they tie her to a wagon and a horse drags her down the street while people nearby laugh and point at her. They beat her in the head, knock out a few of her teeth, and give her black eyes.

Before she knows it, she's in the dungeon under City Hall with an insane lady, dozens of panicked prisoners, and giant rats. She stays there for two days.

The next thing she knows, she's on trial for the incident between her and Madam. Madam's wish is that Isabel be given a permanent reminder of her disobedience by

being branded with the letter I for insolence on her cheek. The court abides by this desire and sentences her.

Chapter 23

Isabel is imprisoned in the stocks as a man next to her begins to heat the irons for her branding over a fire. A crowd gathers to watch her punishment, just as they gathered to watch the hanging; Isabel sheds tears of embarrassment and fear.

To distract herself, she thinks of her old life in Rhode Island with Momma and Ruth. None of these thoughts, though, can take away the jeering crowd and the sizzling of the irons on her cheek. When it's over, she imagines Momma and Poppa's ghosts coming to comfort her and shower her burned face with tears.

Chapter 24

After the horror of the branding, Isabel wakes up in a comfortable bed in a nice, small room with lace curtains. She's disoriented by her ordeal and unable to piece together what happened. Lady Seymour comes in and gives her water to drink; apparently she is at Lady Seymour's house, where she has spent the last six days unconscious.

Lady Seymour puts together the jumbled pieces of the last several days. She adds that after her punishment, the authorities left Isabel in the stocks, where she would have died if Curzon hadn't run to Lady Seymour and told her that Isabel was in trouble. Worst of all, though, Lady Seymour has been unable to find out where Ruth is. Madam refuses to give out this information and insists that Isabel return to the Lockton home to resume her service once she wakes up.

Chapter 25

Lady Seymour brings Isabel back to the Lockton house, Madam won't even speak at her, let alone make eye contact. Curzon spends a lot of time hanging around outside the Lockton home trying to get her attention, but she continues to ignore him. Becky finally tells Isabel that she has to talk to Curzon and tell him to stop stalking her; if she doesn't, Madam will probably have him arrested. Not wanting to have that on her conscience after everything else, Isabel finally approaches him. 

Curzon tells Isabel how sorry he is about everything that's happened, but tries to persuade her that the cause of freedom is still worth fighting for. Isabel, however, is about fed up and tells Curzon to take a hike and that she never wants to see him again.

Chapter 26

Isabel goes to the Tea Water Pump to get fresh water and encounters a dozen or so slaves arguing about the war. Grandfather, the old man who works the Tea Water Pump, calms everyone and tells them that the war is not the slaves' fight; rather than argue about choosing the British or American side, then, they must focus on finding their own way through the conflict and surviving their own fight for freedom.

He tells Isabel in particular that the scar on her face isn't a sign of shame—it means she has strength and the ability to live through her difficulties. 

Chapter 27

The British beat the Americans at a battle in Brooklyn. As Madam cheers the victory, Isabel finds herself even more confused about the war. Her biggest concern is which side would most willingly help her find Ruth—if either side really would help her at all. 

GO AWAY!

Becky returns from the market full of gross stories about the horrors she saw at the soldiers' campgrounds (think: blood, guts, missing limbs, and wounds filled with maggots). Isabel continues to watch for Curzon on her trips to the Tea Water Pump and market, concerned that he's been injured, maimed, or worse. She finally sees him alive and well at the Rebel campgrounds. Whew—it's a relief to know he's still all in one piece.

Chapter 28

New York has been invaded. The first strike took place while Isabel and the Locktons were at church, causing a panic as the congregation fled the building.

Outside, total chaos ensues, with soldiers, horses, and freaked out citizens running everywhere. 

Since Becky is off that day, Isabel prepares Madam's afternoon meal and serves it. In return, Madam presents her with a totally insane request for the rest of the day: Isabel is to go to the market in the middle of this madness and buy the items on a list she's prepared. In spite of the danger she faces, Isabel still feels a surge of hope that the rumors that the British will free the slaves are true. She decides that she will join their side and run away. 

The conditions outside are about as bad as Isabel expected. The chaos has only worsened, and she's forced to take refuge in an abandoned building, until finally, the madness outside passes and she crawls out the window.

Chapter 29

As she makes her way to the waterfront, she passes the rebel camp and sees that their tents are deserted. Everything they own—including blankets and food—is abandoned. On a night as cold as this, these abandoned provisions can't mean anything good. British boats begin to arrive at the waterfront and soldiers jump out, heading in search of rebel soldiers. Isabel approaches one of the British captains and attempts to persuade him to employ her as a cook or washwoman. He ignores her, but perks up a little when she offers information about the abandoned camp and the location of General Washington's headquarters. He tells her that Isabel is correct in saying she's useful—but then quickly loses interest when she says that she belongs to a Loyalist household. The army's policy is to only hire slaves from rebels. A crowd of British men begins to exit the boat and Isabel is confronted with a familiar face - Mr. Lockton. Isabel finally goes and buys the items on Madam's list, then returns to the Locktons' house. Once again, she has no idea what side she's on.

HELP ME!

Chapter 30

Becky has left and Lady Seymour sends a message to Lockton asking to borrow Isabel for awhile, as her house is packed with Hessians, German soldiers aiding the British in the fight. Madam refuses to let Isabel to go; however, Lockton, however, isn't willing to let the issue go. He says that they owe Isabel's service to Lady Seymour, presumably because of the giant chunk of cash he hopes to get when she dies. While Madam tries to override his authority, Lockton demands that Isabel leave immediately to go to Lady Seymour's service.

Lady Seymour, though, makes sure that Isabel has a proper bed to sleep in and three meals a day.The Hessians finally decide to take their party elsewhere and the house is quiet for the first time since Isabel's arrival. She serves Lady Seymour her evening meal, then goes to sleep in her bedroom with Ruth's doll that she's continued to hang onto. 

Isabel helps Lady Seymour!

When she wakes up, the entire city is on fire.

Chapter 31

Outside, the fire burns with such intensity that Isabel thinks it looks like daylight. From the window, she sees that Lady Seymour's house, as well as every house visible to her eyes, is engulfed in flames. Isabel panics, grabs Ruth's doll, and runs to Lady Seymour's room to wake her. 

Apparently, though, Lady Seymour doesn't understand the urgency with which fire burns, so rather than let Isabel help her downstairs, she starts rifling through an old trunk for her possessions. She finally hands Isabel a portrait of a man with blonde hair and a stack of old letters and allows Isabel to help her out of the room.

On their way downstairs, the ceiling gives in from the fire and Lady Seymour is knocked unconscious. Isabel drags her out of the house and a safe distance from the fire, and then they make their way to the Lockton house. Isabel has saved Lady Seymour's picture and letters, but Ruth's doll is lost in the blaze.

Chapter 32

The New York fire is a disaster of catastrophic proportions: Five hundred homes are destroyed, thousands of people are left homeless, and the death toll is so high that the stench of charred flesh literally fills the air and makes everyone sick. Isabel and Lady Seymour are among the survivors, though Isabel can't stop coughing up soot and Lady Seymour appears to have had a stroke brought on by the flames. Lockton insists that she come to stay with him and his wife as she recovers.

The Locktons have more guests than just Lady Seymour, though, and because the abandoned rebel homes many British soldiers were occupying have now been destroyed, their commanding officers order anyone with a functional home to take homeless soldiers in. So eleven soldiers and their wives now live with the Locktons. 

While the house is crowded, having other women around takes the pressure off Isabel to do all the work. Sarah, a soldier's wife who is expecting a baby, takes over the kitchen and assumes the role Becky once held before she fled. As a result of all this, Isabel's life is disrupted even more than it was before the fire.

Chapter 33

Winter is rapidly approaching and New York is now covered in layers of ash from the fire, which turns everything from the ice on the ground to the tops of buildings an ugly gray color. Isabel feels gray inside and out, filled with depression and sadness. She considers joining Curzon and becoming a rebel again, but quickly silences the voice in her head. To her disappointment, Isabel discovers that the plants from the seeds she planted that belonged to her mother are dead from neglect.

Lady Seymour is getting better, and she surprises Isabel by having the seamstresses she hires to sew her a new wardrobe make Isabel a new cloak and long skirt for winter as well. 

One morning, Isabel goes to the Tea Water Pump to find a crowd of people in chaos. The British have captured the rebel forces at Fort Washington, and rows of American soldiers taken prisoner are being marched to the prison near the pump. Isabel catches a glimpse of Curzon, whose red hat is now faded to brown, and watches the prison guards lock the American soldiers in.

Chapter 34

Isabel has no time to worry about Curzon being taken prisoner since Madam wants to throw a huge party to celebrate the taking of Fort Washington, which is obviously way more important. Isabel, Sarah, and the rest of the soldiers' wives are put on constant duty to prepare the house and the meal.

The dinner guests include several prominent British officers who spend the meal gloating about the victory at Fort Washington. While they took over three thousand prisoners and this should be a huge triumph, instead they wish that they could just kill them. The prison isn't nearly big enough to hold them all, and they've decided to leave nature to its own devices—eventually, starvation, the cold, or a plague will kill them off.

Lady Seymour questions whether the rebels might retaliate against the poor treatment of their troops, but the officers ignore her. As Isabel and the servant women clean up after the dinner, Isabel is plagued by thoughts of what could happen to Curzon. She begins to think of a plan, and the more she considers it, the more she knows what she has to do.

Chapter 35

TO SAVE CURZON

Three days later, Madam and Lady Seymour are invited to visit a friend for the day, and Isabel gets the chance to put her plan into action. She sneaks away to the prison, taking a bucket of leftovers from dinner with her. As she walks there, she debates with herself about whether or not to do this—the punishment she'd get from Madam would be way worse than being thrown in jail and branded. Still, Curzon is her friend. He's always been there for her, and she owes him one.

A huge guard towers over her at the prison entrance. Isabel says that her older brother is in prison and she's brought food for the prisoners. He lets her in, but insists that he take her bucket in order to "inspect" the contents. Translation: he wants to stuff his face. Isabel immediately finds Curzon. He's alive, but freezing, and can't stop shaking; he describes the horrors of the battles and begins to cry.

The guard returns the bucket with half the food gone. One of the soldiers, Private Dibdin, attempts to take it away from Curzon, arguing that it's not fair for a slave to get to eat while everyone else starves to death. His sergeant instructs the men to pass the bucket around the room so everyone gets a fair share of the food. 

Then the sergeant springs a pretty big favor on Isabel: He wants her to deliver messages between the prison and their captain.

Chapter 36

Lady Seymour gets sick again, and Madam attempts to persuade the doctor to send her to Charleston to recover. The doctor says that the journey would kill her, though, which is, you know, precisely what Madam has in mind. Lockton decides that Isabel will take care of her until she's well.

The next day, Lady Seymour calls Isabel in and makes her a list of things to get at the market. Isabel tries to persuade her to eat a biscuit, telling her that she needs strength from food as she heals. Lady Seymour says that she thought Isabel liked her eating less—after all, it means more food for her to take to the prison. Isabel is stunned that Lady Seymour knows her secret. Lady Seymour tells her that she thinks what Isabel is doing is honorable. She should, though, be careful, as Madam would definitely not agree. 

One of Isabel's errands is to visit the bookstore. The bookstore owner gives her a copy of Thomas Paine's Common Sense. The message is essential for anyone who desires liberty, which most definitely describes Isabel.

AGAIN

Chapter 37

Lady Seymour is feeling much better by the end of the day, much to Madam's dismay. With her aunt restored to health, Madam orders Isabel to get busy with preparations for Christmas, especially the baking frenzy that accompanies the holiday. 

When Isabel arrives at the prison the next morning, the guard tells her that the rules have changed and she can't come inside.

Furthermore, any provisions she brings will be inspected and she'll be arrested if any of it is considered contraband. Isabel walks around the building and figures out where Curzon's cell is. 

Dibdin comes to the window and Isabel asks him to bring Curzon. When he appears in the window, she barely recognizes him—he's pale, shaking with fever, and covered in vomit stains. She demands that Dibdin tell her what's been going on and figures out that he and the soldiers have been eating Curzon's rations and taking his blankets; he's a slave, after all, and can't be treated the same (as far as they're concerned, anyway). 

Dibdin says that he'll start feeding Curzon again, but only for a price. Isabel must go to Captain Morse, who is on parole, and tell him that the soldiers have the pox so that he can get them medical attention. In spite of her sworn vow not to spy anymore, Isabel promises to do it.

Isabel goes to the tavern where Captain Morse is staying and delivers the message. She agrees to return every morning to deliver messages between Morse and the prisoners, even though she's terrified of the consequences. If she doesn't do it, though, Curzon will likely die.

That night, Isabel tries to read Common Sense, but the first sentence repeatedly confuses her. She reads it four times before understanding what Paine is trying to say, then attempts to tackle the next sentence.

Chapter 38

We wish you a merry Christmas… or in Isabel's case, a merry decorating the house with holly and mistletoe as per Madam's orders.

Even though Christmas is supposed to be Isabel's day off, Madam continues to push her around and delay the beginning of her free time.

When it's finally time for her to enjoy the day, Madam pulls her aside and demands that she stop hanging around the prison and disgracing the family. 

Isabel spends her Christmas evening free walking all over New York, thinking about this threat. It occurs to her that the only way Madam can hurt her is with her consent—even if she beats Isabel, even if Isabel doesn't survive it. 

When she returns home, she thinks of Momma's Christmas tradition of making bread pudding. Rather than mourn her family's absence, she chooses to honor Momma by celebrating anyway. She makes bread pudding and takes it to Canvastown, where she gives it to a British family living in one of the tents.