Act 1, Scene 4 Summary

When Minnie gets up early the next morning, Fannie and Sophie are already out doing chores, but Miss Leah is rocking in the kitchen. The older woman talks to the girl about the slave life and the ten children who were never completely hers, having been lost to the slave trade. Miss Leah envies Minnie her relatively easy life and the children that will be a part of that life.

Minnie assumes the position of a child at Miss Leah's knee so that the old woman can braid Minnie's hair. As they talk, Minnie shares her longing to be with other black people again and says how comforting it is to have Miss Leah braid her hair and talk just like the old days.

Frank is less than pleased when he emerges from the bedroom to find his wife's hair in...