Top Highlights

• —THOMAS PAINE, COMMON SENSE
• No ghosts yet, just ash trees and maples lined up in a mournful row.
• “Ruth and me are free, Pastor. Miss Finch freed us in her will. Momma, too, if she had lived. It was done up legal, on paper with wax seals.”
• “Slaves don’t read,” Mr. Robert said. “I should beat you for lying, girl.” Pastor Weeks held up his hand. “It’s true. Your aunt had some odd notions. She taught the child herself. I disapproved, of course. Only leads to trouble.”
• Ruth looked up at me anxiously and gripped my hand tighter.