An unlikely friendship between a plantation owner's daughter (Meri) and the daughter of a slave (Tilly) in the pre-Civil War south. Meri helps Tilly and her mother escape when Meri's father threatens to sell Tilly. Because Meri taught Tilly to read and write, the two are able to keep in touch via letters throughout their lifetimes.

Tilly is a poet (and later nurse) and Meri an artist. Both marry and have children. Both face losses. ( )