Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

out and set his hand on her shoulder. “They are sisters, Anne. One must remember that.”
    â€œPlease, Madam,” I said. “She’s too little. She’ll be hurt.”
    The room fell silent except for the plopping sound of peas falling to the bottom of a wooden bowl. Ruth was picking up the peas that she’d spilled. The sound reminded me of pebbles plunking into a deep pond.
    Becky carried a mug of cider to Madam. “Look there. The little one is already back at her chores. And she did a fine job sweeping earlier.”
    â€œHow often do these fits take hold of her?” Lockton asked me. “Speak truthfully.”
    â€œSometimes once a day, sir, sometimes weeks will go by.”
    â€œOnce a day?” Madam’s voice rose again.
    â€œHo, Lockton!” the mayor called from the study.
    The master studied my sister, then tugged his waistcoat over his belly. “The girl is harmless and useful,” he said. “She will work in the kitchen with Becky. That is my decision. Do not disturb me again with womanly prattle.”
    The kitchen fell silent as the master walked away. When we heard the door to the study close, Madam pointed at Ruth. “Don’t let her near the milk. She’ll curdle it. And don’t get used to her presence here. Elihu will soon see reason.”
    She stalked off, leaving a sour smell in the air.
    Ruth crawled under the table to pick up the peas that had rolled there. I watched her and tried to stop my hands from shaking. “What will happen to us?”
    â€œNo way of telling.” Becky pulled an eel from the basket. “It’s near impossible to hire help, what with folks running off in fear of the war.”
    She cut off the eel’s head. “Long’s you two can stay out of trouble”—she grabbed the eel’s skin at the neck and pulled it all the way off—“I imagine you’re safe enough.”
    I bent down to help Ruth with the peas.

Chapter XVI

Sunday, June 23, 1776
    A REPORT PREVAILS HERE THAT A MOST VILE DEEP LAID PLOT WAS YESTERDAY DISCOVER’D AT NEW YORK , I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASSERTAIN THE PERTICULAR FACTS …, HOWEVER 40 PERSONS ARE APPREHENDED & SECUR’D, AMONG THEM IS THE MAYOR OF THE CITY. WHAT BASENESS ARE OUR ENEMIES NOT CAPABLE OF, WHO WOD WISH TO BE CONNECTED WITH A PEOPLE SO DESTITUTE OF EVERY VERTUE, GOD FORBID IT SHOD EVER BE THE FATE OF AMERICA. –LETTER OF CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATE WILLIAM WHIPPLE TO JOSHUA BRACKETT
    Ruth fell asleep quick that night, my arms around her. I had washed out the blood from her kerchief and hung it to dry. There was a lump on her head, but it would go away.
    Madam’s threats would not.
    I slowly pulled my arm out from under my sister. She sighed and curled into a tiny ball.
    I had pondered the problem all day and half the night. No matter how many times I turned it round, I found the same answer.
    We had to flee the city.
    I sat up and pulled the blanket over Ruth, tucking it under her feet to keep them warm.
    The wings that could spirit us away were hidden in the master’s desk. I had to take the list; it would buy us our freedom. But Bellingham would not listen, not after the incident with the linen chest. I had to deliver it straight to the army.
    The sound I had been waiting for broke through; the low roar of Master Lockton’s snores, starting up just as the grandfather clock chimed midnight.
    I put on my skirt and made my way to the bottom of the stairs. The hour was upon me.
    â€™Twas time to act.
    The moon was my friend.
    It lit up the library enough for me to make my way without stumbling into anything. The snuff jar stood on the corner of the desk. I held my breath as I lifted the lid, put my hand inside, and slowly pulled out the keys. I crouched behind the desk and examined them in the moonlight. Only one was small enough to fit into the top drawer’s lock.
    I inserted the key and turned it gently to the