The door at last opened and a collective gasp went up at the sight of Pryde standing on the top step with one of his dogs at the heel. "Reverend wants you all in the square," he said. The children shuffled towards the door, Samantha leading the way. She imagined finding Miss Brigham crucified like Christ or perhaps something even worse.
Miss Brigham was nowhere to be found in the square. Instead, Samantha saw a pile of firewood in the center of the square. The books and magazines from Miss Brigham's cellar topped the pile. Samantha's heart sunk; she knew what would happen next.
Reverend Crane stood next to the pile bearing a torch. "My children, the symbols of Miss Brigham's treachery must be eradicated. This fire will cleanse their evil from our community forever. Once more Eternity will become a shining example of God's way." With this, the reverend lit the pile. As the fire grew higher, Reverend Crane instructed the children of Eternity to bow their heads. Samantha positioned herself between Rebecca and Wendell, squeezing their hands to reassure them nothing bad would happen to them.
"Our Father, who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name," Reverend Crane began. Samantha mouthed the words to the Lord's Prayer as she watched the books start to burn through teary eyes. When the flames reached the top of the pile, Rebecca pressed her face into Samantha's skirt, no longer able to witness the destruction. Samantha patted her on the back and vowed to save Miss Brigham from a similar fate.