Chapter 6 Summary

Mattie and her grandfather perform various chores around the coffeehouse, including doing the laundry. One day as Mattie finishes washing the laundry her cat Silas, chasing another mouse, leaps into the pile of wet laundry and knocks it over into the dust. Mattie angrily washes the laundry a second time. Later in the day Mrs. Cook and Mattie's grandfather discuss the future while Mattie eats lunch and sneaks food to her pet cat. A messenger delivers an invitation to afternoon tea with Pernilla Ogilvie, a highly regarded society lady of Philadelphia. Mattie is not eager to attend tea, but Mrs. Cook hopes that Edward Ogilvie, Mrs. Ogilvie's youngest son, may perhaps one day prove a suitable suitor for Mattie. Mattie gets hastily dressed in her best clothing, noting how uncomfortable it is, and complains while Eliza brushes the many tangles from her hair...