“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.384Please respect copyright.PENANA5aH5Sz3ybx
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“Hi.” Grace smiled.384Please respect copyright.PENANARew2yruchg
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“I heard you call out. Is there something I can help you with?”384Please respect copyright.PENANAguZDjGfQgB
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“No, no. I was calling to someone up here who seems to be hiding in an alcove.”384Please respect copyright.PENANAJYUPgJeifp
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“Not to worry. He won’t answer. He’s quite harmless. Pay him no attention.”384Please respect copyright.PENANAh1746NGwmz
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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?”384Please respect copyright.PENANANngewAOeP0
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“It’s an angel, and I’m not sure why he’s chosen this place to hide.”384Please respect copyright.PENANAwnsVXxRAL7
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“An angel?” Grace was flummoxed. “You’re kidding?”384Please respect copyright.PENANApPEACspz4n
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“Oh, no, he’s an angel to be sure.384Please respect copyright.PENANALRgFlWA4Ek
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Grace moved to the head of the stairway.384Please respect copyright.PENANA5FtpVsD0I9
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“Oh, please, don’t let his presence discourage you.”384Please respect copyright.PENANAvrh2v3EvwF
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Grace descended the stairs, “I'm not discouraged … I’m freaked out. Who are you?”384Please respect copyright.PENANAep4kb6bUiq
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“I’m Morris Liebemacher. This is my shop.”384Please respect copyright.PENANAsCE5npoCaC
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“Morris, you act as if harboring an angel is an everyday occurrence.”384Please respect copyright.PENANANaiJZFjBye
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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.”384Please respect copyright.PENANAZ2dVzyVgFL
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“That’s very generous of you. Do you know anything about him … this angel?”384Please respect copyright.PENANA4hx1PJf0Rk
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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?”384Please respect copyright.PENANAeJr6UCfwXP
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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.384Please respect copyright.PENANABt9RV6LM0B
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“Oh, yes, I quite understand.”384Please respect copyright.PENANApx80BDOaBS
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“He’s not a you-know-what angel from you-know-where, is he?”384Please respect copyright.PENANAg8h7zS3lfa