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"It's all right, Katie," Savannah whispered "They won't laugh at you"

They both kneas a lie; knew they would laugh at her

Katie bit down hard on her lower lip to keep it fro beside her sister

It don't matter what those dumb old kids think anyway

But it did

She clung to Savannah's hand and keptnot to be afraid

If only she weren't so stupid Then everything would be okay The kids wouldn't laugh at her Her mama would love her The teacher?

"Are you ready to go in?"

Savannah's voice cut through Katie's thoughts She yanked her head up and found that they were alh her blood like ice water

She turned to her sister "I don't feel so good, Vannah Maybe I should go home"

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Savannah dropped to her knees and touched her sister's cheek "Aw, Katie "

She flung herself into her sister's ar her hair andwords of love Savannah drew back and looked up at her Katie did her very best not to cry Tears burned behind her eyes and blurred her vision, but not one slipped past her lashes It was a trick all the Raffertys had learned "I-I'm fine" She rubbed her sweaty palms on the nubby wool of her skirt and clutched her strapped-up school-books to her chest

Savannah got slowly to her feet Hand in hand they cli steps and opened the schoolhouse door The tired whine of the hinges drew every eye A dozen s, Katie drew back

Savannah laid a coht here," she ly