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           Shestolesomeofthetwins’discardeddiapersandtriedtobindherselfunderherdrawers,terrifiedthebloodwouldcomethrough.

           DeathtakingHalhadbeenlikeatempestuousvisitfromsomethingghostly;butthisstrung-outcessationofherownbeingwasterrifying.HowcouldshepossiblygotoFeeorPaddytobreakthenewsthatshewasdyingfromsomedisreputable,forbiddendiseaseofthebottom?OnlytoFrankmightshehavepouredouthertorment,butFrankwassofarawayshedidn’tknowwheretofindhim.Shehadlistenedtothewomentalkovertheircupsofteaoftumorsandcancers,gruesomelingeringdeathstheirfriendsormothersorsistershadendured,anditseemedtoMeggiesuretobesomekindofgrowtheatingherinsidesaway,chewingsilentlyuptowardherfrightenedheart.Oh,shedidn’twanttodie!

           Herideasabouttheconditionofdeathwerevague;shewasn’tevenclearonwhatherstatuswouldbeinthatincomprehensibleotherworld.ReligiontoMeggiewasasetoflawsratherthanaspiritualexperience,itcouldn’thelpheratall.Wordsandphrasesjostledpiecemealinherpanickedconsciousness,utteredbyherparents,theirfriends,thenuns,priestsinsermons,badmeninbooksthreateningvengeance.