Fever 1793: Chapter 26 Summary & Analysis

Mattie is awakened from her garden nap by Silas the cat slapping her cheek and kneading her stomach with his paws. When she opens her eyes, Mattie sees that “an early winter quill had etched an icy pattern over the garden.” She is shivering, and not from a fever. It’s frost. She tells Silas she must be dreaming, but as she inhales the brittle air and sees the sparkling yard, she realizes it’s real. She calls for Eliza, who stumbles into the yard in alarm. When Eliza realizes what’s happened, they jump up and down for joy. Their fatigue vanished, Mattie and Eliza haul the mattress with the children outside so that they can cool down in the frosty air.

At midday, Joseph sends a messenger bearing food, including eggs, bread, and beef. Farmers are already returning to the city market. Mattie and Eliza slowly savor the food. Later, Mattie is awakened from a nap to find Eliza pushing furniture outside. It’s likely to frost again tonight, and she wants to expose all the furniture to the cold to destroy the pestilence. Mattie thinks it’s silly, but she helps Eliza. The children’s fevers have broken, and they sleep and eat readily.

The next morning Joseph visits. He immediately embraces all three children, and Mattie and Eliza weep. Joseph brings handmade toys for each child. He thanks Eliza and Mattie for saving his boys. The three sit contentedly on the porch drinking cider. Joseph suggests that Mattie search for news of her mother in the reopened market. Mattie asks Eliza for permission, and Eliza reminds her that she doesn’t need it. Mattie can choose for herself.

The market is overflowing with news and cheer. Mattie wanders to the Eplers’ stall, and they give her two fat hens and some eggs for free, promising to ask around for news of Lucille. Mattie also buys produce and candy and continues to wander, wondering what she should do next. If it turns out that Mother is dead, she’ll have to sell the coffeehouse and become a scullery maid.

Mattie happens to catch her reflection in the haberdasher’s window, and when she looks into her own eyes, she suddenly changes her mind: “I was Matilda Cook, daughter of Lucille, granddaughter of Captain William Farnsworth Cook […] I would set my own course.”

Someone touches Mattie’s elbow, and her heart jumps. It’s Nathaniel. Mattie blushes and tries to collect her thoughts. Nathaniel offers to walk her home. Mattie’s self-consciousness fades as they walk and talk. Nathaniel survived the epidemic by staying quarantined in Mr. Peale’s house. They talk about how everything seems to have changed. Nathaniel jokes that Mattie’s mother will be home soon and will try to marry Mattie off to a lawyer. Mattie says she won’t let her.