No one had any pity any more.
She handed over another fifty cents and the gypsy woman nodded sadly, pocketed the money and led the way to the back room.
"You will help me now?" Mrs. Wladek said.
"I will try."
The room was silent as the gypsy woman brought all her knowledge and experience into play. Finally she looked at Mrs. Wladek and said: "A very powerful curse has been put upon you. I can't help you."
"The Church will help me!" Mrs. Wladek screamed. "They have the power to exorcise—"
"Do not speak to me of churches," the gypsy woman shouted.
Mrs. Wladek shook her head. "You, who steal my money, who steal the bread from my old mouth without pity—"
"A woman must live," Marya Proderenska said, with great dignity.