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Savannah was right on tilided silently across the room, a tray of food balanced perfectly in front of her She set it down on the bedside table with practiced ease and mumbled, "Evenin', Mama," then turned to leave

Tess grabbed her sleeve "Savannah? May I talk to you?"

Savannah turned back around, eyeing her mother warily " 'Bout what?"

Tess patted the quilt "Sit down"

The girl sidled to the bed and perched like a frightened bird on its very edge, her gaze glued to the fascinating floorboards between her feet "Yeah?"

Tess wet her lips "Well, I ondering what your ma?I mean, what / do all day"

That got Savannah's attention She actually looked at Tess "Do?"

Tess frowned "I "

Savannah shrugged "Well, you embroider a lot"

"E that must be"

"You read a lot o' theenteel books"

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"Don't I do anything outside?" she asked hopefully "Like gardening?"

It was Savannah's turn to frown "Well " the as drawn out, as if she were really searching "So and sip lemonade"

Tess sighed "In other words, you're the real mama in this family I'm just alady"