Re: Chapter 13.2: Blood at Sundown
Wildcat raps the butt of her Remington on the bar of the Grand Bull, hard, six times with one hand, and removes her Stetson with the other. When she speaks, her voice is loud and clear.
"Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God!"
She puts William Pierce's guns down (with a pile of cartridges),she unloaded during Evan's verbal tear, tacitly acknowledging he should reclaim them now but not be quick to start back up. But for now her attention is on Gus Shaw.
"For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries: Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking EVIL of you!
"There are such among your number, Dust Adder. Including thou."
Wildcat lifts a bottle and glass from the bar as her feet shuffle. Her words shift to Alister Milburne.
"Who, I say who among you, shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead? He that is the King of Kings, who is the Lord of All, he that is called I Am?
"Or will you continue to hold true to this Mayor of yours, this monster in the form of a man?"
Her gaze isn't staying place as her voice lowers, and then builds to a crescendo. Her eye lands square on Adrian Vega.
"For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit."
She adds no comment. Mercifully her eyes drift to William Pierce, then to the assemblage.
"But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer."
Wildcat's gestures and voice somehow seem to point to Evans, even as she pours the shot.
"And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging as every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
She keeps pacing, next standing behind the tin angel, stopping to take the shot of whiskey.
"If any man speak, let him speak as the oracle of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen!
Wildcat takes a long pull on her cigar before resuming quietly.
"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified."
Wildcat's gaze goes back to Gus Shaw, The Seven of Spades, and well honestly most of the room at one point or another.
"But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf."
Wildcat returns her bottle and glass to the bar.
"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
"Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator."
Wildcat stands where she started originally, having made a great twisted circuit of the Grand Bull, her feet spaced, her head down, her hat in her hand.
"Thar's more sand, more Rebel fight, 'n more grit in that damn Yankee's dainty little lily white finger than there is ingratitude in this waterin' hole."
Wildcat walks slowly toward the exit as Blackthorn calls.
"Amen."