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I woke suddenly,The house was silent; the only sound was that of insects in the darkness

I did not knohat I was going to do I was too weak and ill to move; but soain th, must be ready for Robbie when he came for me I lit a candle and took the cool broth from the tray, and drank it slowly I

The next tithened I rose froard, , but dry at last I felt nausea return, but sed it down, and it receded I must think I must plan

My mother came into the room

I stepped back involuntarily Why was she here? What else could she do to me? She knew the truth now

"Come back later, Lily," said hter" Lily went out and closed the door I looked at th would not fail me, that my stomach would stay still

"Now you will tell me who is your bastard's father," she said

Of course She would not rest until I told her that I was a whore ould lie with the field slaves

She was not going to get any rest, because I would never confess to such a sin

My father would have already gone to the fields Kevin also would not be in the house As if she readHe will be away for a week Your father is in the bottom field There is only you and I in the house"

I just stared at her

"Who is the father?" she repeated, her teeth clenched

"I will not tell you, Ma snake, her hand flashed and I felt a ered back, and fell over the stool I put my hand to my cheek, where a welt had already risen I realized with shocked a crop I looked up at her fro if she had completely lost her mind My father would see the weal He would knohat she had done