Chapter 2, The New Master and Mistress Summary and Analysis

As her new legal mistress is a five-year-old child, the girl's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Flint, become Linda's de facto master and mistress. William is purchased by the same family, and he finds it difficult to adjust to life in bondage

Linda and William's father is distraught by his utter lack of power to protect his own children. He has tried to purchase their freedom, but to no avail. Shortly after Linda and William enter the home of the Flints, their father dies suddenly, bringing the children increased awareness of their own powerlessness. Their grandmother, Aunt Marthy, resolves to be a mother to her grandchildren to the greatest extent possible.

The reader learns the story about how this same Dr. Flint tried to cheat Linda's grandmother out of her lawfully obtained...