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THE SKY WAS SO gray it could smother a soul

Elsa sat with Ant in the back of the wagon, bundled up in quilts Loreda sat by herself, wrapped in blankets, her cheeks pink and chapped froly silent and distant since Rafe had left Elsa was surprised to realize that she preferred her daughter’s loud anger to this quiet depression Rose and Tony sat up front, with Tony handling the reins All of them were dressed in what tattered clothes could be called their Sunday best

Lonesome Tree was quiet on this late-Nove town Snow covered everything

The Catholic church looked lonely Half of the roof had been torn away last ood wind and it would be gone

Tony parked the wagon out front, tied the horse to the hitching post He hauled a bucket over to the pump, filled it, and left it for Milo

Elsa tugged a felt cloche down over her braided hair and gathered her children close Together, they cli steps and walked into the church Several broken s had been repaired with plywood,the altar dark

In good years there hadn’t been ood years Every Sunday fewer came The Irish Catholics had their own church, over in Dalhart, and the Mexicans worshipped in churches that had been built hundreds of years ago But they were all losing members Every church in the county was More and un to land innotes froton who had found jobs and were encouraging their kin to follow

Elsa heard people coathering of wo about the weather Even the children were quiet The sound of hacking coughs rose above the squeaking of wooden pews

In time, Father Michael stood before the altar and looked out at his much-diminished flock

“We are being tested” He looked as tired as Elsa felt As tired as they all felt “Let us pray this snow means rain to come Crops to come”

“God’s no help,” Loreda grumbled

Rose elbowed Loreda hard

“Tested does not h his slasses at Loreda “Let us pray”

Elsa bowed her head God help us, she thought but wasn’t certain it was exactly a prayer More of a desperate plea