“Hello,” came a greeting from below. Grace looked over the railing and beheld an elderly man peering up at her over gold-rimmed glasses perched on the end of his nose. She could not help but notice his kindly crystal blue eyes gazing at her.578Please respect copyright.PENANAKzpFVVRArj
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“Hi.” Grace smiled.578Please respect copyright.PENANAI43Bs4yeUF
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“I heard you call out. Is there something I can help you with?”578Please respect copyright.PENANAKStmGpJUVP
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“No, no. I was calling to someone up here who seems to be hiding in an alcove.”578Please respect copyright.PENANAHF6GswRcXE
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“Not to worry. He won’t answer. He’s quite harmless. Pay him no attention.”578Please respect copyright.PENANAOs5zD8nS3J
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“Quite harmless, you say. I’m very glad to hear that. Who is he and what’s he doing up here … hiding?”578Please respect copyright.PENANANKY3uA3RDR
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“It’s an angel, and I’m not sure why he’s chosen this place to hide.”578Please respect copyright.PENANAS3FRwZjMVO
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“An angel?” Grace was flummoxed. “You’re kidding?”578Please respect copyright.PENANAvqggevzrGq
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“Oh, no, he’s an angel to be sure.578Please respect copyright.PENANAlv5KBj1qXe
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Grace moved to the head of the stairway.578Please respect copyright.PENANAtPmx7QrYeJ
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“Oh, please, don’t let his presence discourage you.”578Please respect copyright.PENANAS5lBRT02Id
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Grace descended the stairs, “I'm not discouraged … I’m freaked out. Who are you?”578Please respect copyright.PENANAV54RLEj5Cx
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“I’m Morris Liebemacher. This is my shop.”578Please respect copyright.PENANA8mt4LWAdOD
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“Morris, you act as if harboring an angel is an everyday occurrence.”578Please respect copyright.PENANABoIQ7VNS3W
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“Oh, no. It isn’t that at all. I just don’t know what to do about him. He seems quite harmless, so I let him be.”578Please respect copyright.PENANAQVy8MGc55a
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“That’s very generous of you. Do you know anything about him … this angel?”578Please respect copyright.PENANAWPXgCkh23M
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“No, not really. I’ve tried to talk to him but he won’t say a word. He was terrified the first time I spoke with him, but has since gotten used to me and seems quite calm now. Would you like to have a go at him?”578Please respect copyright.PENANA7SUpF66tWi
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“No … I don’t think so. I’m not really into talking to angels … terrified or not. I think I would find it … how shall I say … a little disconcerting, being my first time and all. You understand.” Grace raised her eyebrows and smiled.578Please respect copyright.PENANAYt0xChph3R
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“Oh, yes, I quite understand.”578Please respect copyright.PENANAMoPkwSjpC6
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“He’s not a you-know-what angel from you-know-where, is he?”578Please respect copyright.PENANAI2JrkL2PKc