“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.617Please respect copyright.PENANAGpmLcN4byx
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“Hi.” Grace smiled.617Please respect copyright.PENANAuJgBiHY6GA
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“I heard you call out. Is there something I can help you with?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAOAaX7oIJbH
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“No, no. I was calling to someone up here who seems to be hiding in an alcove.”617Please respect copyright.PENANAfnshQNGyLg
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“Not to worry. He won’t answer. He’s quite harmless. Pay him no attention.”617Please respect copyright.PENANAiEqydeZrEl
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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?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAkyXZx5UnaP
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“It’s an angel, and I’m not sure why he’s chosen this place to hide.”617Please respect copyright.PENANAaWqMmZEhWv
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“An angel?” Grace was flummoxed. “You’re kidding?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAWyEhizTvbo
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“Oh, no, he’s an angel to be sure.617Please respect copyright.PENANAKBGPnIz6xR
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Grace moved to the head of the stairway.617Please respect copyright.PENANA8AXOKu0B2R
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“Oh, please, don’t let his presence discourage you.”617Please respect copyright.PENANAbe21dzX1L4
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Grace descended the stairs, “I'm not discouraged … I’m freaked out. Who are you?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAjurGrzeTgi
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“I’m Morris Liebemacher. This is my shop.”617Please respect copyright.PENANAD6ilUBTOB4
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“Morris, you act as if harboring an angel is an everyday occurrence.”617Please respect copyright.PENANA45IHNj5mwa
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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.”617Please respect copyright.PENANAA7p8uihHG5
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“That’s very generous of you. Do you know anything about him … this angel?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAry6ifvVzgL
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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?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAxIxe5xgVOU
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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.617Please respect copyright.PENANAkXLUXdORlw
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“Oh, yes, I quite understand.”617Please respect copyright.PENANA22i23X2JSG
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“He’s not a you-know-what angel from you-know-where, is he?”617Please respect copyright.PENANAusw7kerp6H