Chapter 7
Torches had been lit around the perimeter of the meeting place. Although the lighting would have been better, they simply couldn’t meet earlier. Daylight was too precious to the women who washed and put out their laundry. Even in the winter, freeze drying the clothes was faster than trying to hang them in the kitchen. The meeting they gathered for mandated that everyone be present, and Velelorn had decided long ago to hold mandatory meetings at dusk. That way, there would still be enough light to walk home for those like the Morenas, who lived on the far side of the village. Beatrice and Smitty helped Old Lady Shaw out of her cabin and positioned her on a chair two famers had carried out of her cabin for this special session. Ever winced when she saw that Smitty had to carry her
