"
"I know. I'm in the dark for good, Sadie. Oh, my God! I'm in the dark!"
Except that her face was withered, she was like Iphigenia praying for
death.
"Lemme die! Lemme die!"
"'Shh-h-h--darling--That's it, rest quiet."
Suddenly Miss Worte flung up one arm about Sadie Barnet's neck, pressing
her head downward until their faces touched.
"Dee Dee darling, you--you hurt."
"You won't never leave me, Sadie, like you said you would? You won't
leave me alone in the dark, Sadie?"
"No, no, my darling; you know I won't, never, never."
"You'll keep me with you always, promise me that, Sadie. Promise me
_that_ on the curl of your mother's hair you wear in your locket.
Promise me, little Sadie, you won't leave your aunt Dee Dee alone in
the dark. My poor little girl, don't leave me alone in the dark. I can't
see; Sadie, I can't see no more. Promise me, Sadie, promise me,
promise me!"
From Sadie Barnet's heart, weakening her like loss of blood, flowed her
tears. She kissed the heart of Edith Worte where it beat like a clock
beneath the high-necked nightdress; she made of her bosom a pillow of
mercy and drew the head up to its warmth.
"I--I promise, Dee Dee, on her curl of hair.
Pages:
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178