Fever 1793: Chapter 15 Summary & Analysis

Mattie spends a few more days recovering at Bush Hill, surrounded by nurses, doctors, and volunteers from the Free African Society. She hears many whispered stories of those who’ve heroically helped the sick, those who fled, wealthy and famous people who’ve fallen sick, and people who lost their sanity from sickness or grief. Mattie hears nothing of Nathaniel, Eliza, or her mother.

One her 10th day at Bush Hill, Mattie is visited by the French doctor, Dr. Deveze. He checks Mattie’s eyes, tongue, and pulse and says that she will live. He is pleased to hear that she has a big appetite. When Mrs. Flagg brings her dinner, Mattie can’t stop asking her questions about what comes next.

Mattie is well enough to be moved to the barn, which is breezy, clean, and cool. She is relieved to be around other recovering patients instead of with the dying. Grandfather checks in on Mattie often when he isn’t delivering food or helping on a committee that’s raising money for the sick. Mattie knows that this work reminds him of the War and makes him feel useful again. Mattie has little to do except stay in bed wondering about Nathaniel and Mother. The stronger she gets, the more questions she has.

When Mattie is well enough to get out of bed, a clerk approaches and says they’ve been unable to locate her mother. They can’t turn a child into the streets, he says, so Mattie will be taken to the orphan house. Mrs. Flagg intervenes and finds Grandfather. Grandfather is indignant at the suggestion that Mattie would be better off in the orphan house than under his care. The man finally relents, but Grandfather has a violent coughing fit. When he recovers, he tells Mrs. Flagg that he isn’t going to die before he has a chance to take her to a ball one day. Mrs. Flagg giggles once again.