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"Where, home? To the MacIntoshes’? Not back to the MacIntoshes’!"

"No, I meandead She’s at the Emmanuel Funeral Home Died two hours after she was carried to Dr Robinson, before Bitsy even got here Traue, he thinks, but the county coroner will have to decide She died on Robinson’s operating table before he could do anything" He reaches over and takeson my lap like one of Bitsy’s lifeless trout

But she can’t be dead Not Mary Proudfoot! She was brave and strong A little fall down the stairs couldn’t kill her! She’s supposed to be cooking corn fritters, chicken, and biscuits forever! Suddenly I’et out of the car, but Hester has already started the engine and Dr Robinson’s still standing on his porch, watching

"Well, where’s Bitsy, then?" I shout, as if the vet’s hiding her Really, I’ry with myself How could I let this happen? Why did I think it was et Katherine out of town and to the train station than to support Bitsy and her family? Was it because Katherine is white? If it is, I despise myself

"Dr Robinson thinks Bitsy’s at Reverend Miller’s out in Hazel Patch The preacher and his wife caet her when Robinson called I can take you there later, but I have to go see that cow firstMr Rhodes will be o If you coh I desperately want to get to Bitsy, he doesn’t leavehe should move the caranywhere

Three hours later, after a painful interlude with an angry far Jersey and relieved her blocked intestine with castor oil, we’re bu past Hester’s farm on the way to Hazel Patch We haven’t eaten all day and the sun has gone down, but he’s too entleman to turn in at his place and make me walk the last two miles

When I think of it, he’s been involved in affairs that don’t concern hiht hours: first facilitating Katherine’s escape, then searching for Mary and Bitsy, now carrying s behind me like a black cape, and I can’t tell if uilt over leaving Bitsy, or worry about how she

Thomas

We don’t get to Hazel Patch until well after dark, but the lights are still on e drive up to the front of the pastor’s substantial log ho the et supper and care for his ani the driver’s-side door and getting out

"I’m into it this far I met the Millers at the Wildcat Mine cave-in, rereets us She’s wearing a long green chenille robe and has a hairnet over her head Behind Mildred, on the fawn velvet sofa, sitting with Bitsy, are the preacher and a very tall blackfelloent into the hole with Thoreen silk shade, lights the room

"Bitsy!" I rush in, fall on ing forgiveness "I’m so sorry, so sorry Sorry about yourwith you" Bitsy s, just wipes ether on her brown hand

Mildred Miller pulls up two et you some coffee?" she offers