“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.599Please respect copyright.PENANAV5iD84WvkB
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“Hi.” Grace smiled.599Please respect copyright.PENANAJJiy38pCNC
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“I heard you call out. Is there something I can help you with?”599Please respect copyright.PENANAZLrRl8jsJK
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“No, no. I was calling to someone up here who seems to be hiding in an alcove.”599Please respect copyright.PENANAUp0MpXguQr
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“Not to worry. He won’t answer. He’s quite harmless. Pay him no attention.”599Please respect copyright.PENANAfjEhsbjx7X
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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?”599Please respect copyright.PENANA5Ikg8XmaSQ
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“It’s an angel, and I’m not sure why he’s chosen this place to hide.”599Please respect copyright.PENANASBKFWLVb7p
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“An angel?” Grace was flummoxed. “You’re kidding?”599Please respect copyright.PENANAl4mwq76EIu
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“Oh, no, he’s an angel to be sure.599Please respect copyright.PENANAfMBS30f2Fu
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Grace moved to the head of the stairway.599Please respect copyright.PENANAzGR1idjKeg
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“Oh, please, don’t let his presence discourage you.”599Please respect copyright.PENANAGqhZC8hjWE
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Grace descended the stairs, “I'm not discouraged … I’m freaked out. Who are you?”599Please respect copyright.PENANAfYSkZTGCMa
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“I’m Morris Liebemacher. This is my shop.”599Please respect copyright.PENANAjDbJSnnAHp
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“Morris, you act as if harboring an angel is an everyday occurrence.”599Please respect copyright.PENANAnYXEGtmjI7
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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.”599Please respect copyright.PENANATO1iEn1AEp
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“That’s very generous of you. Do you know anything about him … this angel?”599Please respect copyright.PENANAqkdlsjxzEw
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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?”599Please respect copyright.PENANAbmDOhHJVOP
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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.599Please respect copyright.PENANApQ3QzwDuYb
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“Oh, yes, I quite understand.”599Please respect copyright.PENANA5hJCyTUagN
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“He’s not a you-know-what angel from you-know-where, is he?”599Please respect copyright.PENANA80lXw4PvjL