"They can take care of themselves for a few minutes, dear."
"I suppose."
David took the latch off the front door. He held it open for Miss Brigham and Rebecca to go outside. As soon as they did, they put hands to their faces in unison. "Oh no," Rebecca mumbled through her hands.
The town was gone. The storm had reduced everything to rubble: both dormitories and the shops. The church had suffered less damage, most of its wooden shingles peeled off but otherwise it remained intact.
To her surprise, Miss Brigham fell to her knees. She looked up at the sky and held out her arms. "Oh Lord, whatever we have done to displease you, please forgive us. Please help us to restore our wonderful little town to its former glory."
"Looks like the Lord has done enough already," David grumbled.
Miss Brigham's shouting had brought the other children out of the church. They assembled around Rebecca and David. Annie tugged on Rebecca's dress until Rebecca looked down at her. "What are we going to do now?" Annie asked.
"I don't know," Rebecca said. "I suppose we'll have to try and rebuild."
"First we ought to go and see how many of the animals survived," David said. He pointed to a couple of the other boys. "You come with me."
"I'll go too," Wendell said.
"We don't need any girls, Wendy."
"I'm not a girl!"
"You look like one."
"Do not!"
"Quiet, children!" Miss Brigham snapped. "It's this sort of discord that caused the Lord to punish us in the first place. We must strive to be meek and without sin, just as Jesus was."
"That won't rebuild this place."
"That's enough of that sinful talk, young man," Miss Brigham said. "While David and the others survey the damage, I want the rest of you children to pray with me in the church. We will ask God for forgiveness. I'm sure if we truly repent then He will bless us again."
David and two other boys set out for the barns while Miss Brigham started to herd the others back into the church. Rebecca took one look at her and then took off running to follow David.