"Here, let me try," Rebecca said. She took Molly from Samantha's arms. The baby's crying finally stopped. She began to coo softly. A few minutes later, she was quiet. "She's asleep."
"I think she likes you," Samantha said.
"What are we going to do now?" Prudence asked.
Samantha looked over at her uncle and then back at Prudence. "I think you should come with us. All of you."
"What? We can't leave. This is our home."
"Prudence, wake up. When Uncle Hector and I leave, who's going to take care of the children now that Miss Brigham can't?"
"Rebecca and I-"
"You're just kids yourselves. You need a grown-up here."
"We're kids? You're only a year older than me."
"So?"
Uncle Hector finally turned to face them. "Samantha's right, kids. I can't just leave you all here to fend for yourselves. At least not for too long. We'll take some of you over to the mainland and then we'll come back for the rest."
"What will happen to us then?" Rebecca asked.
"I don't know. It'll be up to the state to decide. I'm sure they'll try to find new homes for all of you."
"I don't want a new home!" Prudence said, her voice uncharacteristically harsh. "This is my home. It's all our homes. Except you and Samantha."
"Prudence-"
"We're not leaving!" Prudence shouted. She turned and then stomped back into the church. Rebecca looked helplessly at Samantha and Uncle Hector for a moment. Then she too turned and joined Prudence.