Isabel wishes that the Lockton family would give her Sunday afternoons off. Then she could work elsewhere for pay. With enough money saved up, Isabel would be able to buy her own freedom.
The answer to the question is found in chapter 41. Madam Lockton is preparing herself and her household to attend a ball in honor of Queen Charlotte. The day proves to be particularly difficult for Isabel because Madam Lockton is intentionally unhappy with whatever Isabel does. Madam Lockton's churlish behavior gets Isabel thinking about what it would have been like to be Lady Seymour's slave. Then Isabel wonders if Lady Seymour would have set her free, which turns Isabel's thoughts toward freedom. She mentions that some other slaves are given Sunday afternoons off. They use the time to earn money. Isabel says that she would sew, scrub tables, or even clean prison cells, if it meant she could earn enough money to buy her own freedom.
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