"Now that you mention it, I think so too."
"…"
The women chatted as they walked toward the village entrance.
Old Mrs. Jocelyn took the initiative to greet them. "Hello there, aunties. Out cutting grass?"
"Hey, Old Mrs. Jocelyn, you've put on quite a bit of weight! Did you go to the city with Cecilia to enjoy the good life?"
Old Mrs. Jocelyn was aware of the change in her appearance and admitted it frankly. "Yes, I've gotten fatter. And my skin is fairer, too."
Theresa Sheridan stormed over. "What right do you have to go to the city with Cecilia? You're nothing to her. If anyone should have gone, it should have been us. Cecilia, this Old Mrs. Jocelyn is a filthy person. Years ago, she was one of *those* women—absolutely disgusting. During our village's ancestral rites, people like her aren't even worthy of helping out. How can you associate with her? Aren't you just degrading yourself?"
Old Mrs. Jocelyn's eyes instantly reddened.
That vile name.
