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Show 143 be in danger. Let me think on it." As she thought she closed her eyes and soon her head nodded in sleep. Sister Perpetua was always napping for short moments when she was still. I waited, content to sit in the sunlight at her feet. "I have it!" she said, straightening. "When Father Antonius comes the next time from Alfeld to say mass, you must tell him all that you have told me. At the same time you will make your confession to him so that you can be shriven for your part in the wrongdoing. I have an idea vihat can be done for the girl, but we must wait to hear the opinion of Father Antonius." When the priest arrived we learned that her idea was to bring Hilde to the convent where the nuns could care for her, if Hilde's parents were willing. "And you must tell the people of Hamelin what happened to their children," Father Antonius chided me. "If the children have not yet been found, their parents must be suffering the deepest anguish." "I can't go back and tell," I whispered, pleading. "I would be executed." "If I could, I would tell them myself," the priest said, "but I am bound by the seal of the confessional not to reveal what you have said to me. But hear this, Albert, hear what I say to you this day. Some time, some way, you must make known what happened to those children.' "If you...are willing to go to Hamelin," I gasped, "tell Father Johann. Even though he must think...think the worst of me...for the terrible things I have done...I know he will not betray me. And tell him that I beg his forgiveness." |