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face was white with shock and agony. He just shook

his head and continued down the stairs. He knew, of

course. that we had heard the whole argument

between him and Betsy.

Betsy's door was shut tight. I took Baby Celeste

into the bathroom and helped her wash up and fix her

hair. She loved to brush her own hair now and was

very aware of how she looked, her clothes and shoes. Betsy did not come down for dinner. Dave ate

sparingly. Mama continually urged him to eat and not

get himself sick over the situation.

"We'll do what we have to do, Dave," she said,

putting her hand over his.

He nodded. "I'm sorry. Sarah. It wasn't supposed to be like this. I wasn't supposed to be

bringing you new and bigger problems."

"For better or for worse," Mama recited. "In

sickness and in health."

He smiled and looked a bit cheered. She threw

me a glance that made me shudder a little. It was more

like a conspiratorial glance. What did she think I

knew or understood? I really felt sorry for Dave. and I

was beginning to feel that I was part of some great

betrayal. Even though I had no sympathy or love. for

Betsy, I hated seeing him so distraught and defeated. After we ate, Mama prepared a dish and told

me to take it upstairs to see if Betsy would eat. You don't have to do that. Sarah," Dave said.

"She's old enough to know to come down if she wants

something to eat. 'We're not going to cater to her

anymore, not now."

"We won't," Mama assured him, "but we can't

let her neglect her health. Dave, especially now, now

can we?"