Part I: Chapters I - VI Summary

The novel opens on the day of Miss Mary Finch's funeral. Her nephew has come to Rhode Island to settle her estate and has taken charge of Miss Finch's two slaves, sisters Isabel and Ruth. Isabel, who is thirteen-years-old walks behind the carriage pulling Miss Finch's coffin to the cemetery while her younger sister rides with the carriage driver because she suffers from epilepsy and is mentally impaired. Outside of the cemetery, Isabel runs ahead to visit her mother's grave. She asks her mother's ghost for guidance. Today is the day they've been waiting for: the day the girls are to be set free.

Immediately after Miss Finch's funeral, Isabel boldly walks up to the pastor and asks his help in finding work. Miss Finch freed the girls in her will and Isabel...