Linda's mixed feelings...

After finally escaping to the North and being reunited with both of her children at different times, Linda is still not completely free. After Dr. Flint dies, his daughter writes to Linda and tells her that she is still her property. Then the Fugitive Slave Act is passed which says that every runaway slave that is found must be returned to their owner even if the state has a law that says slavery is illegal. This worries Linda even more, and then Emily Flint and her husband come to New York to capture Linda, who is forced to go into hiding yet again. Mrs. Bruce (her employer) offers to buy Linda, but Linda doesn't want this because she can't stand the idea of being bought and sold again. Mrs. Bruce buys her anyway, which at the time frustrates Linda which causes her to realize just how much she hates slavery. By the end of the book, Linda is grateful to Mrs. Bruce for buying her.