Chapter 18, Sunday Summary

When Jeff arrives at the Washbourne home, he sees what looks at first glance like a deserted home. He decides to knock on the front door, and to his surprise a Negress answers. He asks for Miss Lucy, and the Negress shakes with fear because a Union soldier stands on her master's front porch inquiring about one of the Washbourne daughters. The Negress, named Perce, tells Jeff Lucy is not home. As Jeff begins to feel frustration, Mrs. Washbourne, Lucy's mother, appears at the front door and welcomes Jeff inside. The Washbournes feel tremendous gratitude toward Jeff for going out of his way to return Lee's body to them, enabling a proper burial for their one and only son. To Jeff's surprise, Lucy also feels a deep debt of gratitude toward him. Jeff and Lucy spend the day together, talking and...