Since Dulcie’s mother died by suicide in the spring, Dulcie has not said a word, remaining mute. Unable to care for her properly, Mama’s boyfriend Ray drops Dulcie off at Aunt Bernie’s, Mama’s sister. Aunt Bernie is set on Dulcie getting her spiritual guidance at Redeemer Baptist Church. But Dulcie is bullied in bible study class and Reverend Love finds a better place for her, helping choir director Evangeline sew the new choir robes. Joining them is Faith, a troubled girl that Rev. Love and his wife Mary have taken in. Faith is rough and too uncouth for Aunt Bernie’s tastes, but like Dulcie she too shields a pain. Together, the girls forge a common path to friendship. Dulcie’s voice as she narrates to Mama is natural, mostly conversational with a corn-pone flow. Nothing affected or contrived about it, nicely suited for the themes and atmosphere of the book. ( )