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"Cindy!" I stormed, furious now "How dare you talk to Bart that way? Now, say you're sorrysay it!"

"No, I won't say it, for I'm not sorry!" she yelled not at me but at Bart "He's a brute, ato drive us all as batty as he is!"

"STOP!" I yelled, seeing Bart's face go very pale

Then he lunged forward and caught her by her hair She tried to run, but he had her held too securely I rushed forward to prevent hi onto his free arm Above her he towered "If you ever so irl, you'll rue the day You're very proud of your body, of your hair, of your face One more insult and you'll hide in closets and break all the mirrors"

His deadly tone of voice said he was serious I moved to help Cindy stand "Bart, you don't mean that All your life you've tore?"

"You take her side, after what she said to me?"

"Say you're sorry, Cindy," I pleaded, turning to her Then I turned appealing eyes on Bart "You say it, too, please"

Indecision flashed in Bart's fiery dark eyes as he sa upset I was, but it vanished the moment Cindy screamed out, "NO! I'm not sorry! And I'm not afraid of him! You're just as creepy and senile as that old jerk anders aroundfor old -up, brother!"

"Cindy!" I whispered, very ize to Bart"

"Never, never, NEVER!--not after what he did to Lance!"

The anger on Bart's face frightened me

Just then Joel a arms crossed over his chest and o The Lord sees and hears all and, in ti in the trees, led by instincts that know nothing ofShe's nothing co but a hank of hair, a bone and a rag--you are born to lead"

As if transfixed, Bart's anger si our way To see Bart follow that old man so obediently and without question filled ained such control?

Cindy fell intowith s to hurt him9 Why does he say them to ly thing he's done to hurt me"

In my arms she sobbed out her anxieties until she was limp