"They shouldn't get in trouble. You should be the only one punished. You're the one who started reading them. The rest of us just listened."

"That isn't going to matter," Samantha said. "He's going to punish us all, even the little ones. Is that what you want?"

This struck a chord with Helena. Her sobs eased and after a moment she shook her head. "No," she said.

"Good. When the reverend asks what happened, you two say I told you about kissing. Maybe he'll go easier on you then. But don't mention the books, all right?" They agreed to this too quickly for Samantha's taste. Now if only she could find somewhere to hide the book.

She looked around the church, but couldn't find anywhere to conceal the book from Reverend Crane's watchful eyes. Then she looked over at Helena and remembered her first service when Helena had scared her with the dead snake. Samantha jumped behind the bench and got down on all fours. She pried the board loose and dropped Forever Young onto the dead snake. She returned to the bench and folded her hands in her lap as though nothing had happened.

The front door to the church opened, but again it was not Reverend Crane. This time a pale-faced Miss Brigham led all the children of Eternity into the church. The boys took their seats on one side and the girls on the other. Miss Brigham sat next to Samantha, putting a trembling hand on her knee. "I'm sorry," she said. "I did what I could for you, dear."

From her apron, Miss Brigham took out a handkerchief to dab her eyes. Samantha gave her hand a squeeze. "It's all right. I'll be fine," Samantha said.

The back door to the church opened and Reverend Crane entered, dressed in his black suit. He strode to the podium and then glared down at the assembled children. "My children, a terrible sin has brought us here today, one that cannot be allowed to go unpunished. Three of our community have defiled The Way and made a mockery of its holy teachings. Now they will receive the Lord's judgment. Samantha, Helena, and John, rise."

The trio did as instructed, all three looking down at the floor to await their fates. "Helena and John, is it not true you engaged in the sinful activity of kissing?" Helena and John nodded. Behind them, the others murmured in disbelief. "And is it not true you also were naked in each other's presence?" Again they nodded. This time the other children gasped with horror. "And were you not-"

"Reverend, may I speak?" Samantha said.




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