Jacob Wilder struck me between the eyes in the schoolyard today. It hurt like a bitch, but I didn't hit him back even though I really wanted to because getting in a fight with him is not a battle I can win. I've tried it before. Either he would use it as an excuse to really pummel me, or Aunt Martha would take away my lunch and make me lay on a pile of rock salt to ward off evil - "A woman's purview is the intangible," and all that. 

So, Jacob can hit me and all he has to say is he thought I might be dabbling in some kind of witchery, but I don't get to hit him back. I have to purge with salt instead. I'm not lying when  Isay that rock salt is painful to lay on. It's all sharp and knobby and digs into your skin. I still have marks from last time. Then, if the aunts think you're still at risk of a curse or witching, they'll make you swallow spoonful after spoonful of salt until you empty your stomach. I kind of think Jacob should give it a try. I think I'll sneak some extra salt into his stew at lunch tomorrow. If he doesn't eat it, Aunt Martha will slap him.