Summary

In Chapter 50, Eliza travels to Cambridge, hoping to stop her mother. She has come to accept that she and John will never be free to live as husband and wife in America, and thinks about her dream of the Barbados plantation. Eliza is shocked by her mother's appearance. She has crumbs on her dress and has a foul odor. Mrs. Boylston is immediately critical of Eliza's appearance and says Elizabeth is forcing her to work too hard. Eliza contradicts her mother. Cassie goes to the market in the evenings when some vendors sell food very cheap or even give it away. Mrs. Boylston has sold a piece of the property and someone is building a house there. When Eliza and Cassie are alone, Cassie says Mrs. Boylston is forgetful and is often confused about the year. Eliza tells Cassie the news about...