A Sorceress Comes to Call

Hester initially expects Cordelia to be complicit in her mother’s schemes but soon realizes that the girl is more frightened and confused than malicious. Suspecting abuse, Hester questions whether Evangeline might be using Cordelia as bait, but she ultimately decides that Cordelia’s fear is genuine.

When Cordelia hesitantly enters Hester’s room, Hester is surprised to learn that Cordelia doesn’t know how to embroider, a skill expected of girls with aspirations to gentility. Hester teaches her and discusses the practical uses of embroidery, like disguising frayed cuffs, while implying that the Squire is frugal—though, in truth, he generously funded her goose-breeding hobby.

Cordelia becomes upset when she pricks her finger, but Hester reassures her that mistakes can be covered with creative stitching. They spend hours sewing, and when Hester asks Cordelia her age, Cordelia almost says 14 before correcting herself to say 17, claiming that she often forgets. As the dinner bell rings, Hester gives Cordelia another shawl and fakes needing help up the stairs, noting Cordelia’s strength. Hester resolves to save both Cordelia and the Squire from “Doom.”