Midnight Rider

Hannah appears before Meg in her new chambermaid uniform of a striped dress and starched apron. Meg inspects and approves Hannah’s appearance, noting the more fashionable clothes that Mrs. Dudley has used to replace Hannah’s homespun garments. Meg assigns Hannah various duties, including cleaning her rooms, helping her dress, and fetching fresh water. When Hannah empties Meg’s washbowl into a pitcher, she accidentally spills some water before heading to the courtyard well.

At the well, Caleb approaches Hannah and invites her to a shadow play with a hidden purpose, asking her to meet him after candlelighting. He hints that Meg has secret evening “engagements.” When Hannah returns to Meg’s room, Meg shares plans for future carriage rides in an unmarked vehicle to avoid attention due to the rebel unrest in Boston. Meg declares that Hannah will be her “lady-in-waiting” and demands that Hannah respect her privacy. Hannah silently recalls her obligation to report on Meg to Mrs. Gage and tells Meg that she will “do [her] best” (88). When Hannah successfully imitates Lydia, Meg laughs and suggests that Hannah’s mimicry talent might be used for their “amusement.”