“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.577Please respect copyright.PENANArnir1OPfn0
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“Hi.” Grace smiled.577Please respect copyright.PENANA6Wx1BboCdH
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“I heard you call out. Is there something I can help you with?”577Please respect copyright.PENANAWxw4Nf6yp3
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“No, no. I was calling to someone up here who seems to be hiding in an alcove.”577Please respect copyright.PENANArTyyZcWrds
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“Not to worry. He won’t answer. He’s quite harmless. Pay him no attention.”577Please respect copyright.PENANANxmFYt6kwi
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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?”577Please respect copyright.PENANAvDOHhtExbl
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“It’s an angel, and I’m not sure why he’s chosen this place to hide.”577Please respect copyright.PENANAABiKpo04fk
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“An angel?” Grace was flummoxed. “You’re kidding?”577Please respect copyright.PENANAo7t1Lr9RRy
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“Oh, no, he’s an angel to be sure.577Please respect copyright.PENANAK9bNd6h2wx
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Grace moved to the head of the stairway.577Please respect copyright.PENANAQN4uuCKV1n
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“Oh, please, don’t let his presence discourage you.”577Please respect copyright.PENANAWYgwdzp4bK
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Grace descended the stairs, “I'm not discouraged … I’m freaked out. Who are you?”577Please respect copyright.PENANAkkxuu2eS2y
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“I’m Morris Liebemacher. This is my shop.”577Please respect copyright.PENANAxyNBeGHBqj
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“Morris, you act as if harboring an angel is an everyday occurrence.”577Please respect copyright.PENANAfOkubLAV0H
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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.”577Please respect copyright.PENANATnAtaz6zTr
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“That’s very generous of you. Do you know anything about him … this angel?”577Please respect copyright.PENANAkldPso9B4e
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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?”577Please respect copyright.PENANAsyKOSfOfUq
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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.577Please respect copyright.PENANAijh3ysO0Lr
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“Oh, yes, I quite understand.”577Please respect copyright.PENANApidLbE0bvv
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“He’s not a you-know-what angel from you-know-where, is he?”577Please respect copyright.PENANA2e1YT9e53Y