Yellow Wife

Everyone works tirelessly to prepare for Jacob’s return to the Bell plantation. Delphina oversees food preparation, house cleaning, and landscaping. On the day of his return, Delphina learns that wild horses startled the horses driving Jacob’s carriage. Jacob and Ruth are both badly hurt. When Pheby finds her mother, Ruth has a serious infection in her right leg. Delphina calls for Pheby to help her deliver her baby. Delphina refuses to allow Pheby to return to her mother and provide care.

Delphina writes a pass for Essex to visit the doctor’s house and obtain word on Jacob’s condition. Essex, knowing that he is out of time, uses the pass to escape the plantation. Pheby refuses to join him, knowing that she is needed at the plantation to care for her mother and to help Delphina safely deliver Essex’s child. When Ruth’s condition worsens, Delphina insists that no doctor is needed: “Your mama work roots, she will figure it out” (47). Delphina is so self-absorbed with her own worries and so filled with hatred for Ruth that she refuses to provide her with care.