“You dears need to see Doc, your moms, the sheriff, and right away. Now, Zach, Alvie. I’ve made up my mind. The young ladies must get immediate care, and we shouldn’t wait for the sheriff to get here. Take them to Peasy where their folks’ll take over – their families must be worried sick about them. Tell the sheriff where to find Clarice in the river. That’s about all we can do.” Effie catches her breath. “Then you might as well stay for the tent meeting. It’s the first Sunday of revival week; the tent meeting will go into all hours and have a bounty of food.” Thinking about Effie’s stress and the girls’ trauma, Alvie bustles, gathering coats, food for the car, and a quilt for Merlina and Laelynn; feeling the urgency to safely deliver the girls home, Zach brings the truck near the front do
