Chapters 28 and 29 Summary

After a few weeks of contemplation over Eva's Bible, Augustine reaches the decision to free Tom, which had been Eva's request many weeks ago. Miss Ophelia has taken her Christian beliefs to heart and commits herself completely to raising Topsy to be a fine Christian girl and asks Augustine to prepare the papers declaring Topsy to be Miss Ophelia's property. It is Miss Ophelia's plan to return to Vermont with Topsy as her young charge. The thought of the abolitionists' reactions to this scenario makes Augustine tease his aunt about the reception she will receive back north. Miss Ophelia is unfazed by Augustine's comments and urges Augustine to make the proper arrangements to have the other slaves freed so there would be no question as to their fate, should something happen to Augustine. Augustine has nothing more to lose since Eva's...