For long moments, Oleta does not understand why Hester is begging her for forgiveness. But then it strikes her quickly, a sharp blow to the brain like the buzzing work of carpentry but this is making her eyes clear, not clouded.

"No," she says, but it is not in answer. The not-carpentry is still in her brain like angry bees. "No, it's not your fault." Oleta thinks it's strange that her voice is soft. Is it? She doesn't remember. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. It doesn't matter. "Hester, Hester, Hester." She breathes it out like a prayer, if she knew what a prayer was. "You saved me."

For a glorious few moments, they were free.