He stooped beside her. "Listen, child!" he said quickly. "Do you know what a neutroid is?"
She nodded slowly. "They play in cages. They don't talk."
"Can you pretend you're a neutroid?"
"I can play neutroid. I play neutroid with Daddy sometimes, when people come to see him. He gives me candy when I play it. When can I go home?"
"Not now. There's a man coming to see us. Can you play neutroid for me? We'll give you lots of candy. Just don't talk. Pretend you're asleep."
"Now?"
"Now." He heard the door chimes ringing.
"Who is it?" Anne asked.
"I don't know. He may have the wrong house. Take Peony in the bedroom. I'll answer it."
His wife caught the child-thing up in her arms and hurried away. The chimes sounded again. Norris stalked down the hall and switched on the porch-light. The visitor was an elderly man, erect in his black suit and radiating dignity. As he smiled and nodded, Norris noticed his collar. A clergyman. Must have the wrong place, Norris thought.