Mable glared at Francis, but she hadn't been expecting him to be helpful.  Hence, the name she'd called him.  But then, even Nettie was refusing to help her, and Mable had to take a very deep breath in an attempt to calm herself.

It did not work.  Even after three breathes, Mable was still so angry, and scared, and upset, and she didn't want to be around anyone but Father Brennan, but he wasn't here, apparently.

With a sudden shout, Mable threw her bible to the floor.  The thin binding made a magnificent thump and pages exploded everywhere.  She immediately regretted it.

"I don't give a rat's tail about Higgins or Richards, and I don't want their help, and both of you are not being helpful at all!  What if he's dead?!  What if he's dead and gone and already buried and we don't know because neither of you even care?!  What then?"