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Show in my father's house/337 He was attributing to me a strength and knowledge that belonged to my parents and the people of the group. I had no strength, as evidenced by my shaking knees. And I had no knowledge beyond my schoolwork. I left the ward-house, caught in a whirlpool of emotion, toward my I felt gratitude A teacher because he had taught a lesson forbidden by Church authorities for my sake. The way he had looked at me made it obvious that the lesson was for ongoing my benefit. I wondered if it were an answer to myAprayer that there would be more understanding for us from the world. But I had no hope that my classmates had listened with understanding. Certainly they had known who the lesson was for; the giggles and titters that had followed me down the hall affirmed that. But I believed they had learned no more this week than last, when we had discussed charity. They still gossiped and played practical jokes before, after, and during Sunday meetings. Before this lesson, we had all been able to pretend ignorance of our differences. If my classmates knew about my family, they didn't let on. I could giggle with the girls and flirt with the boys and no mention need be made of the gap between our lifestyles. But now there was no ignoring it, for they knew and I knew that they knew, and that others - grown-up others - knew as well. Whenever I saw people talking, I was certain they were talking about me, about my peculiar family. I didn't think I could bring myself to go back to church. |