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The dark-clad crowd buzzed in around her, talking in subdued voices

A tall, elderly woh the horde When she saw Selena, her narrorinkled face broke into a bright smile "You are home"

Selena looked at Elliot quickly She didn't knohat to say, what to do She saw the welcome in the old woman's eyes and kneas a true welcome, but she couldn't feel it

"Sister Agnes was injured, Eldress Beatrice," Elliot said "She has no memory of us"

The crowd fell silent Selena felt their eyes on her

It was a moment before Beatrice spoke, and when she did, her voice hispery and soft "No wonder you were gone so long Soet you reacquainted You ant to change from your worldly clothes and cover your hair as a proper sister should You in your rotation in the laundry to" She sly "I'm sure it will come back to you in no time You have lived with us for many, many years"

"Her injury is extensive," Elliot said "She will perhaps need help from the women"

The eldress gave her another quick snes always did need extra help" She turned "Sister Lucinda Show Sister Agnes to the dwelling house and get her settled in"

A small, birdlike woman with jet black hair and twin-

304

kling blue eyes slipped through the crowd She was dressed in

the saoas a velvety shade of blue thatSelena a genuine smile "I've missed you"

Another welcome that should have warmed Selena and didn't She did her best to smile "HelloSister

Lucinda"

The wo her close "Call h the crowd