Caleb's Crossing

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.

Bethia is still torn between two visions of her future: one of the island, the other of the library. She also finds herself having sexual fantasies about Samuel after their kiss. Still, although she wants to accept Samuel’s marriage proposal, but decides that since he asks a delay while he pursues his studies, she will ask him for several months to ponder her decision. They meet in the library and she tells him about her decision. Samuel is upset about this request, but accedes, after apologizing for the dismissive way he spoke about her headstrong character and her ideas about the world. Overcome by mutual attraction, they have sex.

Near matriculation day, Corlett summons Bethia to discuss how her situation has changed after her brother’s departure and the purchase of her indentures by the Merrys. She informs him that she is interested in taking a position at Harvard in the buttery. Bethia desires this position because it will allow her close access to the education provided at Harvard. This causes Corlett some concern, because he does not view education for women as desirable. After hearing Bethia’s persuasive case, Corlett reluctantly agrees to her plan, but advises her to “Keep the buttery hatch closed” (242), referring both to the door that will close Bethia’s world off from Harvard’s lectures.

Working at Harvard College, Bethia serves as a maid for President Chauncy as he conducts the now 16-year-old Caleb’s entrance exams. She notices that Caleb is now quite lean, which is somewhat concerning. However, he manages to do well in the exams. Caleb’s Latin is particularly excellent. Still, Chauncy reminds Caleb that his presence at the college is due to the desires of philanthropic donors. Caleb feels triumphant in spite of this. It turns out that Joel performs with even more aplomb than the successful Caleb.

One of Bethia’s responsibilities is to help the college steward, Roger Whitby, inventory the goods with which the students pay tuition. Whitby is hopeful that some of the incoming freshmen are from wealthy families who might send extra food and supplies.

Harvard has a hazing ritual whereby each freshman is assigned an upperclassman, whom he waits upon like a servant. The tradition seems jokey and in good fun to Bethia until she realizes what it must feel like to Caleb and Joel to be servants to rich white boys. Caleb refuses to participate in this practice.

Bethia hears a lecture to the freshmen from Chauncy that makes her have increased respect for outwardly unimpressive but evidently learned and highly intelligent older man. He expresses hope that many of his new students will become ministers, and explains that he sees the knowledge of the world’s great civilizations as conducive to the Christian method; after all, all knowledge and truth comes from God, he explains.