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Saham helped Prudence up to her feet She nodded "It feels fine Thank you"

She still needed their help to free her from the wet, dirty clothes Prudence closed her eyes as they tore the material away Tears came to her eyes; Sa the fabric as the embarrassment of the situation

"Don't worry, we'll find you a needle and thread and you can fix it"

"I doubt it"

With another dress, Prudence dried herself off Then she took the reverend's white robe from them The hem of the robe pooled at Prudence's feet by a couple of inches, the sleeves overhanging her hands the same way Samantha's jacket did

Prudence actually smiled as she flapped her arms "I feel so little"

"You look cute," Saham and Samantha helped Prudence back onto the pew She looked for a h she would protest, but then her eyes closed Before long, she was snoring like usual

The other children were all settled into their pews David and the other boys had returned an hour or two after Sa what happened, David had grudgingly told Wendell, "Well done"

Uncle Hector said soood, Lucy"

"Thanks"

They sat outside, where they had built a bonfire with sohter He had insisted on sleeping outside, "under the stars" Saured it was in part so he could sarettes of his He held one up and shook his head "I should go easy on these Not sure when I ainst hiet to the mainland, can I live with you?"

"Of course you can"

"What will you tell everyone who asks what happened to ?"

"We'll just tell thearette "The rest we'll just say someone kidnapped you"

"They won't believe ic water Just tell theuy took you and locked you up for a while, until you escaped"

"Thatto you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Did he ever…touch you? In a bad place? A private place?"

Uncle Hector'slike that He just whipped me once Him and Mr Pryde"