Chapter 28 Summary

October turns to early November as the coffeehouse again opens for business. Patronage is brisk and soon the coffeehouse is again filled with paying customers. Nearly all aspects of the city return to the way they were before the yellow fever epidemic. Eliza and Mattie discuss business and make plans for future expansion even as Mattie begins to despair of ever seeing her mother again.

Then one day Nathaniel runs into the coffeehouse and excitedly announces that President George Washington has finally returned to Philadelphia. All of the customers, along with Mattie and Eliza, rush to High Street to watch President Washington ride by with his entourage; his return marks the official end of the epidemic.

Mattie sees a large crowd of wagons and people following President Washington. Mattie initially thinks the crowd is composed of Washington's cabinet, but a man next to...