Part 2, The House Astride the Devil's Backbone, 1861 - Section 2 Summary

Chapter 4 - Early the next morning, Tilly is woken by Mama, who tells her to be careful what she says around the very Southern Delphine, who might not realize that she's in the North, and Calinda, who might be a slave. A short while later, preparations for breakfast are interrupted by the frightened Cass, who says Calinda is killing Delphine. Mama and Tilly rush upstairs, only to discover that Calinda is lacing Delphine into a set of corsets. When Delphine and Calinda eventually come down for breakfast, the suddenly nervous and awkward Noah makes room for them (see "Quotes," p. 47). Nibbling at the food that the suspicious Calinda isn't touching, Delphine pays particular attention to Noah as she chatters about her life in New Orleans and her...