After learning Frannie has been spying on her for Benham, Meg kicks Frannie out. Frannie wanders by the river for days. One night she is assaulted by a man. Unable to find a job as a maid, Frannie starts begging, using the money she makes to buy laudanum. She happens upon Pomfrey, who offers to find her a place in a brothel called the School-House, which Frannie accepts.

Frannie notes that recovering in a brothel is a struggle. In addition to access to her own baths, she is expected to cease her opium use and recover from her addiction. Sal, the other Black woman who works there, looks after her during her withdrawal. Mrs. Slap, the brothel’s madam, is known as Mrs. Austen to the neighbors. Sal tells Frannie that white men love to be whipped in bed. Sal and Frannie go for a walk when a white man begins to harass them. Sal makes fun of him but Frannie apologizes and pulls her away. Sal accuses her of acting like a “house slave,” which upsets Frannie.

Mrs. Slap tells Frannie that in order to be successful, she has to cater to her clients’ appetites and suppress her own thirst.