Summary

At one of the Smeath Sunday dinners, Elaine overhears Mrs. Smeath and her sister, Aunt Mildred, talking about Elaine and calling her a heathen. She learns that Mrs. Smeath has known about the way she has been treated and has done nothing to stop it. She hears her say it is God’s punishment and it serves her right. When Mrs. Smeath finally sees Elaine, she knows she has heard what they have said about her, but only gives a smug smile and says, “Little pitchers have big ears.” Elaine knows she will never be able to forgive Mrs. Smeath for this, and believes this actually makes her a heathen. She cannot say the Lord’s Prayer anymore because she cannot “forgive those who trespass against [her].”

When Elaine finds a picture of the Virgin Mary, she recognizes it as being from the Catholic school...