Page 48 (1/1)

That hy she had fallen down here The Lord had sent her down here because she had strayed She had said awful things to Samantha, her best friend in the whole world But she had been on her way to try and remedy that when the storm hit and she ended up down here Perhaps God hadn't believed she really wanted to work things out with Sah in her heart

This was her penance Reverend Crane had often preached about the need to be disciplined That was how you steeled your body against evil These sermons usually caainst The Way The reverend or Mr Pryde would whip the offending child in theto Reverend Crane, the pain they endured, like the pain Christ had endured before the crucifixion, would cleanse the offender's soul

Prudence didn't have a whip down here She didn't have anything she could use to cleanse her soul Perhaps, though, once she had endured enough pain down here, God would send soined an angel with fluffy white wings and a golden halo descending into the pit She grabbed the angel's hand and then felt herself ascending out of the hole

A farowl interrupted her daydrea down at her The weather h for the vicious creature to return Its teeth flashed at her to remind her what awaited her should she reach the top of the pit Or perhaps it would tire of waiting for her and jump down to finish her off

Prudence knelt down in the ainst the side of the pit and held out her arms in supplication "Lord, please see it in your heart to free me from this terrible pit I have tried to be a worthy servant of you I promise if you release lory I proht with Saain I will stop eating so much I will be kind and helpful to all of the other children and Miss Brigham Please, Lord, please"

The only answer to her prayer was another growl from up above Undeterred, Prudence continued to pray It was her only chance for salvation

Rebecca felt soainst her body She assumed it was her blanket and tried to lift it, but it was too heavy For that matter, it was too thick She opened her eyes to find an arm draped over her