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We did not take Emily Sloane to church

We brought the church to Emily Sloane

Constance arranged it all

Cruht candles, incense, and a brass bell hted the candles in a shadowed room of the Hollyhock House Elysian Fields Sanitarium I pinned some cotton cloths about my knees

“What the hell’s that for?” griped Crumley

“Sound effects It rustles Like the priest’s skirt”

“Jesus!” said Crumley

“Well, yeah”

Then, with the candles lit, and Cru well out of the way in an alcove, we fanned the incense and tested the bell It made a fine, clear sound

Crumley called quietly “Constance? Now”

And Emily Sloane arrived

She did not move of her own volition, she did not walk, nor did her head turn or her eyes flex or motion in the carved marble face The profile caid body and hands folded in gravestone serenity upon a lap in by time She was pushed, froe an, dressed in black as for the rehearsal of an old funeral As Eed fro off; we fanned the incense smokes and tapped the bell

I cleared my throat

“Shh, she’s listening!” whispered Crumley