either do I； son；〃 Schuster said with a grin。 He was the best of them； and now I realize I have no idea what became of him。 I hope he kept his faith； whatever else befell。
He urged Delacroix onto his knees； then folded his hands。 Delacroix did the same。
〃Not' Pere； qui etes aux cieux；〃 Schuster began； and Delacroix joined him。 They spoke the Lord's Prayer together in that liquid…sounding Cajun French； all the way to 〃mais deliverez…nous du mal； ainsi soit…il。〃 By then； Del's tears had mostly stopped and he looked calm。 Some Bible verses （in English） followed； not neglecting the old standby about the still waters。 When that was done； Schuster started to get up； but Del held onto the sleeve of his shirt and said something in French。 Schuster listened carefully； frowning。 He responded。 Del said something else； then just looked at him hopefully。
Schuster turned to me and said： 〃He's got something else； Mr。 Edgebe。 A prayer I can't help him with； because of my faith。 Is it all right？〃
I looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was seventeen minutes to midnight。 〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃but it'll have to be quick。 We've got a schedule to keep here； you know。〃
〃Yes。 I do。〃 He turned to Delacroix and gave him a nod。
Del closed his eyes as if to pray； but for a moment said nothing。 A frown creased his forehead and I had a sense of him reaching far back in his mind； as a man may search a small attic room for an object which hasn't been used （or needed） for a long； long time。 I glanced at the clock again and almost said something … would have； if Brutal hadn't twitched my sleeve and shaken his head。
Then Del began； speaking softly but quickly in that Cajun which was as round and soft and sensual as a young woman's breast： 〃Marie！ le vous s