She did not reply, nor did she move or unclose her eyes.
My friends said, “No doubt she is in league with those who have broken into the house with some evil design. Upon hearing us coming they fled, but she having been unable to escape hid herself here.”
I again questioned her, but she continued silent, motionless, and sightless.
One of my friends pushed her. She fell to the ground like a log, like some inanimate object.
We pushed her with our feet, then we raised her again, and stood her up against the wall; but she showed no sign of life, and remained dumb to our questions, as though she were deaf.
At last we lost patience; anger began to mingle with our fright.
One of us suggested—
“Put the flame of the candle under her chin.”
I did so; then she half opened one eye, a vague, dull eye with no expression in it.
I moved away the candle, and said—