Summary

Charlotte watched the boys line up for the prospective parents. She no longer lined up with them because the families all wanted boys or young children to work on their farms. When Charlotte had been little, a family wanted to adopt her. Mrs. Boyle told them Charlotte was her niece and was not available. After that, Mrs. Boyle forced her to hide in a potato bin whenever people came to adopt a child.

Freedom’s condition was worse. Vern did not know what was wrong with her.

Hayward told Charlotte that someone had been adopted. He hoped it was William. After dishes, Charlotte returned to the stable and stayed with Freedom late into the night. Vern sent her to bed, saying they would not know anything until morning.

The next morning Charlotte hurried through her chores then ran toward the stable. Hayward was waiting...