Caleb's Crossing

After the plan to get Anne away is in motion, Bethia and Samuel have a revealing conversation. Samuel tells her about his father Master Corlett nursed a lifelong annoyance that Samuel’s mother was so much less educated than he was—it made their life together lack intellectual and thus emotional intimacy. Because of this, Samuel finds Bethia very appealing—her intelligence means they can have a deeper relationship.

Bethia confesses her part in spiriting Anne away from Boston, which angers Samuel. He worries about how the governor will react, that the situation endangers his father’s school, that Bethia is too enmeshed with the Native Americans, and struggles to come to terms with the fact that an intelligent woman necessarily will have opinions different from his own. Bethia in turn angrily insists upon the value of her views and walks away. Samuel catches up with Bethia, tells her that he is in love with her, and kisses her.

Fortunately, the General Court of the colony does not follow up on Anne’s case. Once she disappears, the authorities are not interested in her anymore. Caleb, meanwhile, is angry that the white man who mistreated Anne is not brought to justice in any way.