Summary

The chapter "Mortality" begins with, for the first time, a letter written to Dr. Thompson by his friend and associate in Baltimore, Ellis Adams. Adams cautions that there is likely nothing to be done to change Jane's condition, but he does recommend a doctor in Memphis that Dr. Thompson and Jane could visit. As Dr. Thompson reads the letter, we learn that he has already convinced the Chisolm parents that it would be a good idea to take Jane to Memphis, and it is implied that Dr. Thompson is even willing to do so on his own dollar.

Then, we learn for the first time about a small general store on the Chisolm property that Sylvester has always owned and operated. Jane comes both to enjoy working and the store and becomes incredibly skilled at it, ably learning how to provide customers with their...