The Last Runaway

Honor understands that Abigail does not wish her to remain living in the house; the woman’s unfriendliness is clear. Adam does not defend her, either. They pry into Honor’s former engagement, prodding her to explain that Samuel married a non-Quaker woman, resulting in his expulsion from the Bridport Meeting. His rejection of their faith stings more than his rejection of her. Abigail seems delighted in Honor’s misfortune. Honor assesses her role in Abigail’s unfriendliness; Honor has not hidden her dislike of her new home. She struggles to appear cheerful, as she realizes how small Faithwell is and that she cannot stay permanently in Abigail’s home.

The next day, Abigail and Honor sit outside, quilting. Honor struggles to imagine a new project for herself; everything she has started reminds her too much of England. She doesn’t dare offer to help Abigail, who is working on appliqué, a style that strikes Honor as “cheating” but that she’s observed as ubiquitous in America. Honor begins piecing together fabric, leading Abigail to ask numerous questions about her technique. Though her sewing is superior to Abigail’s, Honor does not attempt to teach the other woman.

Honor gradually meets other Faithwell residents before encountering much of the town at the Faithwell Meeting House.