Lyddie

Over the summer, Lyddie distinguishes herself among the remaining workers through her speed and meticulousness. She runs her four looms seamlessly and scrupulously. Mr. Marsden begins referring to Lyddie as his “best girl.” As her familiarity with the nuances of Oliver Twist increases through careful reading, Lyddie empathizes with aspects of Oliver’s life of abandonment and poverty. She is reminded of how close her own family came to falling on the mercy of the local poorhouse. Lyddie receives a letter from her mother, the woman’s priorities overt: Mattie’s request that Lyddie send her money precedes the more significant news that Lyddie’s sister Agnes has died. Lyddie manages her grief by busying herself with her work. She takes particular care to ensure maximum output from her looms when she is reduced from operating four back to two after the other workers return from their summer holidays.

One night, the sanctimonious and pious Amelia becomes frustrated with Lyddie and attempts to take Oliver Twist away from her. She claims novels are “the devil’s instrument” (90). Betsy challenges her, and Amelia begins to cry, admitting that she is not sure what came over her. Betsy insists that it is the strain of being worked “like black slaves” (91). Over the summer, the mill sped up the looms, adding to the difficulty of running them safely and dexterously. The returning workers find the growing demands increasingly taxing, particularly because of the length of their strenuous days. Betsy states that she intends to sign the petition Diana has been promoting. It demands a reduction from a 13- to a 10-hour workday for Concord Corporation employees. Lyddie expresses fears about the loss of earning potential should they lose three hours’ daily work, while Amelia warns Betsy that Betsy could be dismissed if the factory finds out that she signed the petition. Betsy cites multiple reasons why their predicament is becoming more and more unbearable, including recent wage cuts for some. She begins to sing a labor activism song with the refrain “I cannot be a slave,” one sung by striking mill workers in 1936 (92). Lyddie declares forcefully that she isn’t a slave, while Amelia asks how Betsy knows that song. Betsy says that she worked as a doffer in 1836, when they walked out of the factory. At age 20, she has worked nearly 10 years for the Concord Corporation.

The lyrics “I cannot be a slave…I will not be a slave,” echo in Lyddie’s mind as the young women around her become fiercer in their opposition to the conditions at Concord Corporation. Diana invites Lyddie to come to a weekly meeting of her labor organization, but Lyddie forcefully declines the invitation. She wants to avoid drawing the attention of Mr. Marsden, who is aware of Diana’s affiliations and has begun to take note of those girls who spend time with her. Betsy brings a copy of The Voice of Industry, the new factory worker publication, and Lyddie recoils, uninterested. Betsy comments that Lyddie is too preoccupied with money to be interested in labor reform. Lyddie wishes that she could explain her goal of reclaiming the farm and reuniting her family, how much it matters to her, and the fact that she is their only hope. Having amassed a considerable savings, she writes to her mother to ask for the exact amount owed so that she might pay it, begrudgingly including one dollar.

Lyddie continues to distinguish herself among her fellow workers, even as the looms are sped up yet again. Mr. Marsden begins paying her special attention, puzzling Lyddie as he pauses while surveying the workroom to draw close to her and touch her arm. Lyddie pushes herself at a grueling pace. Her responsibilities increasing back to four looms, she is too exhausted to read, take advantage of the scant amount of free time afforded to her, or even enjoy her food at mealtimes. One night, Betsy reiterates her intentions to attend Oberlin, this time in front of Amelia, declaring that she will sign the petition before she leaves. Gradually, more and more workers begin returning to their family homes, unable and unwilling to keep up with the frantic change in pace. They are replaced by immigrant children, many of whom are willing to accept lower wages. Winter settles in, the days growing darker. One evening, Lyddie is blindsided when her shuttle flies out of the race, striking her in the temple and knocking her to the ground, stunned. As her scalp bleeds profusely, Diana rushes to her aid, stanches the flow, and escorts her back to Number Five. Diana insists it must be Dr. Craven to see to Lyddie, and when he is summoned, Lyddie recognizes him as the man walking with Diana the previous summer.

Lyddie is eager to get back to work, worried about her position. Amelia announces that she has reached her limit and will be returning home. Lyddie notices the increased frequency and severity of Betsy’s persistent cough. After Lyddie returns, Mr. Marsden corners her, insisting that she must take care of herself, as she is “my prize girl here” (109). He asks her to mentor one of the new workers, and she reluctantly agrees. Brigid is an immigrant from Ireland, meek, frazzled, and intimidated by the weaving room. Lyddie is exasperated by her, resentful of the time she must sacrifice to tend to Brigid’s instruction and ensure her safety. Lyddie repeats the instructions Diana offered to her but without Diana’s patience and compassion. Diana steps in to help when she notices that Lyddie is being less than gentle with Brigid, and when she assures Lyddie that Brigid will do fine in the weaving room, Lyddie is doubtful.

As Betsy’s condition worsens, she asks to be moved to the drawing room where there are fewer flying fibers to be inhaled and to further coat and obstruct her lungs. Despite the change, her condition advances to the point where she is unable to work. Lyddie writes to Betsy’s brother, studying at Harvard. Although Betsy’s wages have paid his tuition, he doesn’t write for three weeks, claiming to be busy and stating that he may be able to visit at the end of term if time permits. In the spring, Betsy signs the petition before moving home to Maine with her uncle.

One afternoon, Lyddie finds Luke Stevens standing outside Number Five. She does not recognize him, as he is not dressed in his traditional Quaker clothing. He explains he is “fetching some freight” from near Boston (114). As Quakers attract attention, he is intentionally incognito. He gives Lyddie a parcel from his father, departing quickly to resume his errand. When Lyddie opens it, she finds a letter from Ezekial. He writes that he has made it to Montreal, where he has been joined by his family. Included is $50, twice what she gave him. She is profoundly moved by his gesture and happy that he has achieved a life of freedom. She writes to her mother, again asking exactly how much money is owed on the farm. She is more determined than ever to return home.