But what Kezia liked more than anything, what she liked frightfully, was the lamp. It stood in the middle of the dining-room table, an exquisite little amber lamp with a white globe. It was filled all ready for lighting, though, of course, you couldn't light it. But there was something inside that looked like oil and moved when you shook it. The father and mother dolls, who sprawled very stiff as though they had fainted in the drawing-room, and their two little children asleep upstairs, were really too big for the doll's house. They didn't look as though they belonged. But the lamp was perfect. It seemed to smile at Kezia, to say, 'I live here.' The lamp was real.
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'Sarah'
My name is Sarah I am but three, My eyes are swollen I cannot see, I must be stupid I must be bad, What else could have made My daddy so mad? I wish I were better I wish I weren’t ugly They maybe mommy Would still want to hug me. I can’t speak at all I can’t do a wrong Or else I’m locked up All the day long. When I’m awake I’m all alone The house is dark My folks aren’t home When my mommy does come I’ll try and be nice, So maybe I’ll get just One whipping tonight. Don’t make a sound! I just heard a car My daddy is back From Charlie’s Bar. I heard him curse My name he calls I press myself Against the wall I try and hide From his evil eyes I’m so afraid now I’m starting to cry He finds me weeping He shouts ugly words, He says it’s my fault That he suffers at work. He slaps me and hits me And yells at me more, I finally get free And I run for the door. He’s already locked it And I start to bawl, He takes me and throws me Against the hard wall. I fall to the floor With my bones nearly broken, And my daddy continues With more bad words spoken. “I’m sorry!”, I scream But its much too late His face has been twisted Into unimaginable hate The hurt and the pain Again and again Oh please God, have mercy! Oh please let it end! And finally he stops And heads for the door, While I lay motionless Sprawled on the floor My name is Sarah And I am but three, Tonight my daddy Murdered me.
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