Summary

Chapter 1 is from the perspective of Mary Woolsey. The scene takes place in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1859. Mary is with her younger sister Georgy and their mother, Mrs. Woolsey. They have encountered many slaves during the day which encourages them to continue their fight against slavery. They encounter a boy driving a cart who offers directions to their hotel. He identifies Jane as being from Virginia, based on her accept. She says she left there years ago and is currently the guest of Pastor Cox at the African church. The boy says he goes to the “mart” every Sunday with fresh “stock” he gathered on Saturday. When he stops the cart and points them down the street toward their hotel, the women discover he has three black babies under a tarp – two infants and a toddler. The women try to intervene but are...