| "Sure, Ann," the man said softly. "Ain't nothing a person won't do when they're hungry." A look of remorse came across his face. "Even steal money from a poor old woman." He shook his head. "I sure didn't think I'd ever turn out to be a thief." "Don't you never mind," said Sister Faye tearfully. "I and God has plumb forgive you, son." "Funny how everything sometime go wrong at once," Jim reflected. "First the pigs got the cholera and they died. Then the cows got the black leg and they died. And the chickens --" " -- and that awful dry spell and the dust come in clouds, and they was no way even to keep clean," said Ann. "Wasn't so bad losing the farm," said Jim slowly. "But there wasn't even any jobs for me to rustle up in town, and you said you wasn't going to be me a burden. When it got bad was you going to get yourself a living in the city." "I was a damn fool, Jim," said Ann softly. "Don't never let me be such a fool no more." "Ain't going to be easy for you and me, girl," said Jim gently. "Boss here says he'll pay sixty plus room and board and you got to help. Got to milk forty critters." Ann smiled, tears streaking the mascara on her eyelids. "Ain't nothing going to stop us, Jim, 'cause we been gifted of God. God's given me back my crown, so I know He'll give us everything we need to get by." Jim reached into his pocket and drew out a stack of folded bills and some coins. He handed the money to Sister Faye. "Here's your money back, Sister, plus some extra I drew from the Boss in advance. Hope it makes up for what I done. Maybe you can buy you more preaching literature for sinners the like of me." Sister Faye took the money and tucked it into her handbag. Her soul sang hymns of praise to God Almighty as she watched the two walk off into the evening with their arms around each other. "Hallelujah! King of Kings! Holy Prince of Peace! Praise be to God in the highest!" Sister Faye ran to Ivan's with the money and settled her debt with him. Then she shuffled back to her mission and made a pot of good strong black tea. Its steamy strength and warmth made her forget that she was old and lonely. A body sure needed her tea. She nodded sleepily in the comfort of her bed. "You done right good, Sister Faye," the Spirit spoke up. "You got a right to drink up hearty of that good black tea and rejoice. You got a right to sing hallelujah up to heaven. For a lamb that was strayed from the path of righteousness is returned to the fold. Like I said all along: today was a mighty fine day for soul saving . . . " HOME |