She shook the arm until she finally heard a groan, followed by a yawn. "What's going on?" David asked as he sat up.
"What are you doing?" she asked, keeping her voice low so no one else in the church would hear.
"I was trying to keep you warm. You were shivering."
"But boys and girls can't…you know."
"We didn't do anything."
"You kissed me."
"So? You seemed to like it."
"I did, but…"
"But what?"
"But it's not right. I'm a girl and you're a boy."
"Am I supposed to kiss a boy?"
"No!" Rebecca felt her face turning warm. Why was David being so difficult about this? "You know what happens when boys and girls do that. Remember Helena and John?"
"So what? The reverend is dead. So's Mr. Pryde."
"But if Miss Brigham found out-"
"What would she do? She couldn't hit either of us hard enough to leave a mark." He grinned at her. "Besides, you got all that padding to protect you."
"That's not funny!" She turned away from him, not wanting him to see her crying.
"Why are you being such a baby about this? I thought you were more grown up than the rest of the girls."
"I'm only nine."
"Fine. From now on I'll treat you like the other little kids." He pulled on her hair hard enough to yank her head back. She cried out in pain.
"Stop it!"
He grabbed her arm and then jerked it behind her back. She squealed from fresh agony. "What do you say, Tubby?"
"Uncle!" she shouted.
He let her go with a shove and then got to his feet. "Stupid baby," he muttered before he walked away.
"Whatever was that ruckus about?" Miss Brigham asked. She knelt down beside Rebecca and then ran a hand through Rebecca's hair. "Are you hurt?"
"No, I'm fine," Rebecca said. She blinked away tears. "Is it morning yet?"
"I believe so. The Lord has protected us from this terrible storm, as I knew He would."
Rebecca nodded. She listened carefully, but she couldn't hear anything other than a few children snoring. Miss Brigham was probably right; they had survived the storm. "We should go out and see what damage there is."
"Good idea. David, will you accompany us outside? We might need a strong young man's help."
"Of course, Miss Brigham. I wouldn't want anything to happen to you girls."
Rebecca's face again turned warm. The look David gave her was one of pure hatred. She couldn't try to apologize, though, not with Miss Brigham here. "Maybe I should stay here with the others," she said.