In the first two chapters we meet many characters: Matilda, Mother, Grandfather, Eliza, and Polly. Briefly describe each of these characters and their relationship or role in the household.

Matilda (Mattie) Cook was born in 1779. She is fourteen-years-old. Mattie is the main character and protagonist. Over the course of the novel, she faces many difficulites and proves herself to be a level-headed, mature, young woman.

Mrs. Lucille (Mother) Cook is Mattie's mother. She married at the age of seventeen and was widowed by the time she was twenty-one. She has been successfully operating the coffeehouse for ten years.

Polly Logan has been Mattie's friend since they were little girls. She works at the coffeehouse. Mattie learns that Polly contracted yellow fever and died early in the novel.

Eliza is employed as the cook at the Cook Coffeehouse. She has long been a family friend. Eliza is African American, and she born a slave near Williamsburg, Virginia. Eliza's husband saved enough money to purchase her freedom but died before he could join her.