Chains

Isabel spends her days at the Lockton mansion completing household chores. She cleans and helps in the kitchen. Madam Lockton is never satisfied with her work but hasn’t yet hit her again. Isabel observes the Locktons’ conversations, which sometimes turn to arguments. She has no idea where she is, geographically, other than Wall Street in New York City. She feels lost, saying, “I had no map for this life” (49). Madam Lockton takes Ruth as her personal maid; Ruth will stay with her and serve all her personal needs. Isabel is angry, as it seems the Madam is exploiting Ruth’s disability. Becky chides her anger, telling her of the last young slave girl they kept, who angered the Madam was then beaten savagely with a fire poker and left her arm permanently injured. Isabel will have to keep quiet for now, but she misses Ruth’s company and wonders about Curzon’s offer.

As a parade for General Washington commences outside, Isabel sets to sharpen the household knives. Becky attends the parade and returns to tell of all she saw and heard, and they prepare tea for Madam and the visiting Lady Seymour, Master Lockton’s aunt. Once she arrives, the Lady requests to see Isabel, and when Isabel enters the room, she notices Ruth has been crying.