Summary

In Chapter 7, “Marvel of Mere Dark,” Annis and three other women follow “the lady and her manservant,” Emil, “out of the city” and to the new house (135). Emil explains that they will be harvesting sugarcane. Annis meets one of the other women, Camille. She considers comforting Camille by telling her about the spirits.

Annis and the others stay in the cellar of the big house. Annis meets Cora, Esther, and Mary, who also work in the house. Esther and Mary are close. Mary never talks. Cora tells Annis about the lady and her husband. The lady runs the estate because her husband is rarely home. Esther assures Annis she will live longer working in the house. Working the fields is dangerous. However, life in the house is still difficult.

One day, the enslaved people kill hordes of rats. When Emil breaks his switch...