Summary

In Chapter 17, Ruth and Isabel wandered the town without finding any sign of the laundry to which they were to deliver the baskets of clothing and linens. No one paid much attention to them with the exception of a serving woman in the market who pulled them away to a place they could talk in private. She not only gave them directions to the laundry, but also warned them that they should not stay in Williamsburg because there were people there who would turn them in as escaped slaves. She suggested they take their chances with the British.

At the laundry, Isabel introduced herself to the Widow Hallahan. The old woman paused in agreeing to Isabel’s offer of labor only because she believed the brand on Isabel’s face meant that she was a runaway slave. Isabel had a story ready to...