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Chapter 4

           Carreen,whowassmallforherage,couldnotkneelcomfortablyatthetableandsokneltfacingachair,herelbowsontheseat.Shelikedthisposition,forsheseldomfailedtogotosleepduringprayersand,inthisposturesitescapedhermother’snotice.

           Thehouseservantsshuffledandrustledinthehalltokneelbythedoorway,Mammygroaningaloudasshesankdown,Porkstraightasaramrod,RosaandTeena,themaids,gracefulintheirspreadingbrightcalicoes,Cookiegauntandyellowbeneathhersnowyheadrag,andJack,stupidwithsleep,asfarawayfromMammy’spinchingfingersaspossible.Theirdarkeyesgleamedexpectantly,forprayingwiththeirwhitefolkswasoneoftheeventsoftheday.TheoldandcolorfulphrasesofthelitanywithitsOrientalimagerymeantlittletothembutitsatisfiedsomethingintheirhearts,andtheyalwaysswayedwhentheychantedtheresponses:"Lord,havemercyonus,""Christ,havemercyonus."

           Ellenclosedhereyesandbeganpraying,hervoicerisingandfalling,lullingandsoothing.HeadsbowedinthecircleofyellowlightasEllenthankedGodforthehealthandhappinessofherhome,herfamilyandhernegroes.

           WhenshehadfinishedherprayersforthosebeneaththeroofofTara,herfather,mother,sisters,threedeadbabiesand"allthepoorsoulsinPurgatory,"sheclaspedherwhitebeadsbetweenlongfingersandbegantheRosary.Liketherushingofasoftwind,theresponsesfromblackthroatsandwhitethroatsrolledback:

           "HolyMary,MotherofGod,prayforussinners,now,andatthehourofourdeath."

           Despiteherheartacheandthepainofunshedtears,adeepsenseofquietandpeacefelluponScarlettasitalwaysdidatthishour.

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