“We’ve come about the cuckoo-singin’, Annie. At the Chapel last night the congregation prayed for ye, an’ a committee was appointed to wrestle with ye.”
Annie breathed quickly.
“Aye, Sister,” continued Peter Williams, “ye’ve always been a godly member of the flock; ye would not have David go to Heaven with your lie on his soul?”
“Amen!” sang Lowry Prichard.
“An’, Sister, there was light in that meetin’; the Spirit’s among us these days; yours are the only lyin’ lips.”
“Repent!” shouted John Roberts.
“Have ye done?” asked Annie.
“But, Sister——”
“I’ve a word to say. I’ve no mind to your salvation, no, nor to Heaven if the Lord makes this singin’ a lie. I’m a-thinkin’ of David as I’ve thought of him these fifty years, an’ if a lie will make him happy when he’s dyin’, then I’m willin’ to lie, an’ do it every minute of the day.”