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Rebecca waddled inside and then clih she was only nine years old, she ell on her way to being as fat as Prudence, her gut resting on her thighs when she sat down Unlike Prudence, though, Rebecca's voice didn't have that shy, timid sound to it Her voice sounded even rown-up

Rebecca patted the spot next to her on the pallet "Why don't you sit down and tell me what happened?"

"Fine" Saing her legs around and around "There's notfat coward"

"Why would you say that? Prudence helped you get rid of Reverend Crane and Mr Pryde, didn't she?"

"Helped? She didn't do anything until I got theuess Maybe I could have climbed out on my own"

"As what, a baby?"

"What's your point?"

"You and Prudence are best friends I know neither of youto realize that"

"There won't be ti"

"You are?"

Sa to to the mainland to find my parents"

"Oh, I see Did you tell Prudence that?"