The Ledger of Unpaid Penance

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Deceased: Thomas Thorne. Sins: Theft from the parish poor box, charging interest to widows. Transfer: Bread and salt consumed. Effect: A persistent taste of copper in the mouth; the nail beds of the left hand have turned a dull, leaden grey. Deceased: Martha Gable. Sins: Secret commerce with a married man, lies told to the elders. Transfer: Bread and salt consumed. Effect: The skin of the chest and inner thighs has broken into weeping, yellow pustules. They smell of old vinegar and salt. Deceased: Silas Vane. Sins: Beating of a servant resulting in death, hidden rage. Transfer: Bread and salt consumed. Effect: Violent tremors in the extremities. The veins in the throat have thickened and turned the color of bruised plums. Breathing is now labored. Deceased: Goodwife Hallowell. Sins: Vanity, mockery of the afflicted, a lifetime of silent contempt. Transfer: Bread and salt consumed. Effect: The lungs are filled with a heavy, grey fluid. Every cough brings up a thick, oily bile that stains the linens black. The eyes are clouded. The body can hold no more.