Grandfather continues to argue that the fever rumors are alarmist, but one day, as he and Mattie return from running errands, they see Lucille being dropped off in front of the coffeehouse-she’s gravely ill. Even President Washington and other prominent statesmen are vacating the city. Soon, Philadelphia comes to a standstill because of the fever, with many wealthier families fleeing to the countryside. Just as Jeannine is picking a fight with Mattie by insulting the Cook Coffeehouse, Colette abruptly collapses from yellow fever. Mattie hates Pernilla’s snobby daughters, Colette and Jeannine, and doesn’t share Lucille’s desire that she marry a rich Ogilvie son, but she reluctantly goes along. One day, a neighborhood aristocrat, Pernilla Ogilvie, invites Mattie and Lucille to tea. A couple of weeks later, many have died from the fever, but Grandfather argues that it’s nothing to be concerned about. Mattie takes over Polly’s duties in the coffeehouse, hearing her beloved Grandfather debate with customers about rumors of a yellow fever outbreak in the city. Mattie continues to daydream about her crush, Nathaniel Benson, and about running her own businesses someday, but she’s interrupted by Mother again-this time with the news that Polly has died suddenly of a fever. Eliza, the coffeehouse cook and Mattie’s closest confidant, serves her a generous breakfast but quickly shoos her outside to tend the garden.
Mattie would rather daydream about escaping Philadelphia, much like Blanchard’s hot-air balloon which flew earlier that year, but she reluctantly complies. Mattie is needed immediately to help in their coffeehouse, since their serving girl, Polly, is late for work.
In August, 1793, 14-year-old Matilda “Mattie” Cook is awakened by her mother, Lucille Cook, scolding her for sleeping late.
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