As I Lay Dying

by William Faulkner

“Hear?” Darl says. “Put your ear close.” I put my ear close and I can hear her. Only I cant tell what she is saying. “What is she saying, Darl?” I say. “Who is she talking to?” “She’s talking to God,” Darl says. “She is calling on Him to help her.” “What does she want Him to do?” I say. “She wants Him to hide her away from the sight of man,” Darl says. “Why does she want to hide her away from the sight of man, Darl?” “So she can lay down her life,” Darl says. “Why does she want to lay down her life, Darl?” “Listen,” Darl says. We hear her. We hear her turn over on her side. “Listen,” Darl says. “She’s turned over,” I say. “She’s looking at me through the wood.” “Yes,” Darl says. “How can she see through the wood, Darl?” “Come,” Darl says. “We must let her be quiet. Come.”