hysteric. In another time and other circumstances she would have been a priestess, voicing oracles, or a
saint.
Fear was her handmaiden. There could be no doubt of that. And yet I was sure it was not of me she was
frightened. Rather was it some deep and alien fear which lay coiled at the roots of her being, sapping her
vitality-a spiritual fear. I looked at her hair. It was a silvery ash…the color…the color of the hair that
formed the knotted cords!
As she saw me staring at her hair, the vagueness in her pale eyes diminished, was replaced by alertness.
For the first time she seemed to be aware of me. I said, with the utmost casualness:
"I was attracted by the dolls in your window. I have a little granddaughter who would like one I think."
"The dolls are for sale. If there is one you fancy, you may buy it. At its price."