Mei smiled, a glimmer of pride in her eyes. “Exactly,” she said. “But I think we’ll stop for now. In the morning, we’ll start you off bright and early.”
* * * *
Violet fell to the dirt for what felt like the hundredth time that morning. The sun was barely up, and already she was drenched in a fine layer of sweat. Her shirt was spotted with unsightly wet splotches, and her hair was constantly threatening to fall loose from the knot behind her head. Lying flat on her back, she stared into the slowly brightening sky, dazed and throbbing. Mei leaned over her, having yet to break a sweat. “How’re you feelin’, Violet?”
“Downright wretched,” Violet admitted. “Like I got a hundred forks dug into me.”
Mei offered Violet her hand and helped her to her feet. Violet teetered, holding her hand for
