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The girl next to me said, "Let me show you" She picked up one of the pods, broke off the end, and pulled it down The pod opened up and she stripped the seeds from it They rattled into the pan She took the pod fro which opens the pod when you do it properly," she said

I looked at her, a girl of about fifteen, and she said, "I'hter My father is Bobby"

I bowed my head "Mary Ellen Thank you" I lowered my voice "I have never shelled peas before In the lowcountry, servants do this work"

Eleanor's voice spoke clearly above the chatter; I felt the color drain out of h, everyone works," she said, "if they wish to eat"

I said nothing, , and picked up another pod I wanted to retort that I understood perfectly, that I knehat it was to work; but that I was neither a field hand nor a kitchenattention to myself, to make Robbie ashamed of me I would make myself amenable, no matter if it cost me my pride

The days passed slowly, and out of thes to the sound of the breakfast gong, and Rabbit brought o up to the kitchens to fetch my breakfast, which, since the meal had been served just after daould be cold bread andhouse, Rabbit withbasket We would sit on the porch and work on our stitching until dinnertio back to the cabin for a nap Supper was always served before the sun went down; I could not bring ht another cold meal to me to eat before I retired

I saw Robbie only at mealti; he sat beside me at the table He was always immersed in the conversation, which was invariably of the faro out with the men to smoke on the porch On the fourth day after our arrival at Barraigh, I took his arm as he would have left the dinner table "Robbie," I said in a low voice "Will you come to the cabin with me? I-I wish to speak with you"