"The Fountain of Youth," Samantha repeated. "So that's how you've been doing it. That's what happened to the children in the dining room. You put this water in the gruel."
"Of course, my child."
"Is that how you erased their memories? How you erased my memory?" Samantha asked.
"The fountain only affects the body. The mind requires a chemical Mr. Pryde acquired from the savages. Even they can serve the Lord's purposes from time to time."
"Why?" Prudence asked. "Why would you do this?"
"How else could I keep all of you in check? As adults you could rise up and resume your heathen ways. As children, I am free to mold you in His image. I am able to make certain you follow The Way."
"But what about our parents? What did you do to them?"
Reverend Crane snorted. "There were no parents. They died long before you ever came to this place."
"We were grownups?" Prudence held her hands up to her face as if trying to imagine them as a woman's hands. The reverend came over to pat her shoulder.
"Prudence, I did it to save your soul. You were all bound for Hell. I had no choice but to take this dramatic step."
"But, you lied to us. You told us a lie-any lie-is wrong. You said lies violate The Way."
"I am sorry, my child, but I had to protect you. I didn't have the heart to tell you about your parents. I wanted to spare you that pain," Reverend Crane said.
"He didn't want to tell you they were dead so you'd think they might come back," Samantha said. "He didn't want you to try running away or else he might have to find some new help."
"Is that true?" Prudence asked.
"Of course not, my child. I love you as I would my own flesh and blood. I have done everything to protect you."
"He's lying! Prudence-" Pryde cut Samantha off by covering her mouth with his hand. Prudence looked up at the reverend, her eyes darting back and forth as if calculating a difficult math equation.
"But the children in the dining room. Some of them died."
"I know, my child. It was an unfortunate accident. I never meant for any harm to befall them. Perhaps it was God's will that they be punished for their gluttony."
"They were hungry," Prudence said. She patted her bulging stomach. "They didn't do anything wrong."
"Prudence, you must trust me. Everything I've done has been with the best interests of your immortal soul in mind."
"I don't know-"
"Do not worry anymore about it, my child. Soon these issues will no longer trouble you." Samantha tried to warn Prudence, but it was too late. The reverend cinched a rope around Prudence's waist and then pushed her backwards into the pool. The reverend motioned for Pryde to bring Samantha closer.