Page:Scarlet Sister Mary (1928).pdf/166

 lowed day. She was young in years, but her youth was gone. Her heart sobbed in her breast.

On New Year's morning, Maum Hannah came in for a talk. Jesus was the onliest one who could help Mary now. Nobody else could. Nobody else.

"A devil spirit is got you, honey. It's more'n likely Cinder put a conjure on you an' July all two. But try prayin. It'll do you all de good. Jedus'll show you how to live wid you sorrow. Jedus is de main man, honey, de best one what ever lived. He had a heap more trouble'n you. Dem mean Jews hung em on a cross an' e ain' done em a wrong ting, either. Jedus axed Gawd to have mussy on em de same as you got to ax Gawd to have mussy on Cinder what done you wrong. Jedus'll make you strong, gal. Make you well, too. Gawd is his Pa, an' Gawd made de sun an' de moon an' de world an' all o we. You ax Jedus to help you to forgive Cinder. He might would send July back home."

Mary said she hated Cinder. She did not want to forgive her.

"Gawd laid a heavy hand on you, fo-true, gal, but you better be careful. E might knock you harder next time. Gawd is a strange Gawd. You better pray to Him instead o frettin so hard fo July. 'Stead o lookin down, you better look