Summary

This chapter opens with Tom and Eliza staying in her country house. Tom truly loves the outdoors—the sounds, the nature, the smells, and the textures. Eliza is growing bored in the isolation of the country. She makes the decision to take Tom back into the city believing that it is safe enough to return. He’s been out of the spotlight for quite some time, and people have been preoccupied with the war between the North and the South. Eliza decides not to tell Tom until the last minute. This chapter details Eliza’s routine with Tom, cooking, eating, bathing, piano time, and bed time. Being very perceptive, Tom realizes that they are leaving and is packed and ready the morning Eliza plans to leave.

Eliza has forgotten how tense race relations are and soon gets a taste of this when the man...