In "Elizabeth's Prayer," Elizabeth recalls her childhood and how she came to be where she is: Elizabeth was not very close to her mother, but she adored her father. After her mother's death, Elizabeth's maternal aunt took her away from her father, claiming that he was incapable of raising a little girl. Elizabeth never felt loved by her aunt and was very unhappy growing up in her aunt's home.
One summer, Elizabeth met Richard, who was working as a clerk in a local store. Soon the two developed a relationship and planned to marry. They went to New York together where they both found work in the same hotel. Their happiness continued until Richard was arrested for a crime he did not commit. Although finally found not guilty of the charge, Richard committed suicide out of shame and humiliation. Elizabeth never had the chance to tell him that she was pregnant with his child.
Elizabeth met Florence when they were both working as cleaning women in the same office building. Both women shunned the company of others but managed to become friends. Florence introduced Elizabeth to Gabriel shortly after his arrival in the city. Gabriel was very kind to Elizabeth and the infant John. Despite Florence's objections, the two were soon married.
Elizabeth is brought back to the present by a cry from John. He is lying on the floor overcome by the power of the Holy Ghost.
