“It’s sure that if we don’t do something he’ll die,” said Measure. “He says we got to cut right away, before the bad place spreads too far.”

“Perhaps one of your older sons,” said Thrower.

“We got no time to fetch them!” cried Faith. “Oh, Alvin, he’s the boy you chose to have your name. Are you set to let him die, just cause you can’t abide the preacher here?”

Miller shook his head miserably. “Do it, then.”

“He’d rather you did, Pa,” said Measure.

“No!” said Miller vehemently. “Better anyone than me. Better even him than me.”

Thrower saw disappointment, even contempt, on Measure’s face. He stood and walked to where Measure sat, holding a knife and the bone saw in his hands. “Young man,” he said, “do not judge any man to be a coward. You cannot guess what reasons he hides in his heart.”

Thrower turned to Miller and saw a look of surprise and gratitude on the man’s face. “Give him them cutting tools,” Miller said.

Measure held out the knife and the bone saw. Thrower pulled out a handkerchief, and had Measure lay the implements carefully within it.

It had been so easy to do. In just a few moments he had them all asking him to take the knife, absolving him in advance of any accident that might happen. He had even won the first scrap of friendship from Alvin Miller. Ah, I have deceived you all, he thought triumphantly. I am a match for your master the devil. I have deceived the great deceiver, and will send his corrupt progeny back to hell within the hour.

“Who will hold the boy?” asked Thrower. “Even with wine in him, the pain will make him jump if he isn’t held down.”

“I’ll hold him,” said Measure.

“He won’t take no wine,” said Faith. “He says he has to have his head clear.”

“He’s a ten-year-old boy,” said Thrower. “If you insist that he drink it, he’s bound to obey you.”

Faith shook her head. “He knows what’s best. He bears up right smart under pain. You never seen the like.”

I imagine not, said Thrower silently. The devil within the boy no doubt revels in the pain, and doesn’t want the wine to dim the ecstasy. “Very well, then,” he said. “There’s no reason to delay further.” He led the way into the bedroom and boldly pulled the blanket off Alvin’s body. The boy immediately began trembling in the sudden cold, though he continued sweating from the fever. “You say that he has marked the place to cut?”

“Al,” said Measure. “Reverend Thrower here is going to do the cutting.”

“Papa,” said Alvin.

“It’s no use asking him,” said Measure. “He just plain won’t.”

“Are you sure you won’t have some wine?” asked Faith.