it;’ she cried; ‘He made it! But don’t nobody else se it; not evenyour own self! Let God see it—He sees it all right; and He don’t say nothing。’
‘He speaks;’ he said; ‘He speaks。 All you got to do is listen。’
‘I been listening many a night…time long;’ said Florence; then; ‘and He ain’t never spoke tome。’
‘He ain’t never spoke;’ said Gabriel; ‘because you ain’t never wanted to hear。 You justwanted Him to tell you your way was right。 And that ain’t no way to wait on God。’
‘Then tell me;’ Said Florence; ‘what He done said to you—that you didn’t want to hear?’
And there was silence again。 Now they both watched John and Elisha。
‘I going to tell you something; Gabriel;’ she said。 ‘I know you thinking at the bottom ofyour heart that if you make her; her and her bastard boy; pay enough for her sin; your son won’thave to pay for yours。 But I ain’t going to let you do that。 You done made enough folks pay for sin;it’s time you started paying。’
‘What you think;’ he asked; ‘you going to be able to do—against me?’
‘Maybe;’ she said; ‘I ain’t long for this world; but I got this letter; and I’m sure going togive it to Elizabeth before I go; and if she don’t want it; I’m going to find some way—some way; Idon’t know how—to rise up and tell it; tell everybody; about the blood the Lord’s anointed id goton his hands。’
‘I done told you;’ he said; ‘that’s all done and finished; the Lord done give me a sign tomake me know I been forgiven。 What good you think it’s going to do to start talking about itnow?’
‘It’ll make Elizabeth to know;’ she said; ‘that she ain’t the only sinner … in your holyhouse。 And little Johnny; there—he’ll know he ain’t the only bastard。’
Then he turned again; and looked at her with hatred in hi