torlookandsheworewhatIassumedwasawigduetotheunnaturalprecisionofthesnowycurls.Onlyshedgooofarwiththewig;itgaveheraMedusalook.Hermouthlookedfunnybecauseherlipshaddisappearedwithagesoallthatwasleftainted-irapezoid.

    Butshedidntloe,atall,atall--oh,no;shelookedagoodtenorfifteenyearsyouhoughIdoubtthevisionofasexyseptuagenarianwastheoneforwhichshedstrivenasshedeckedherselfout.Impressive,though.Impressiveashell.

    Andyoukohiswasthefacethatlauhousandships.Notbecauseanythinglovelywasstillsmoulderingawayinthoseoldbones;shed,asitwere,transdedbeauty.Butsomethinginthewaysheheldherhead,someimperiance,demahatyoulookatherandkeeponlooking.

    AtonceIwentintoautomatic,Iassumedthestanceofgigolo.Ipickedupherhand,kissedit,said:"Enté",bowed.HadInotbeenwearingsneakers,Idhaveclickedmyheels.TheSpiritappearedpleasedbutnotsurprisedbythis,butshecouldntsmileforfearofcraghermake-up.Shewhisperedmeathroatygreeting,eyeingmeinaverypeculiarway,awaythatmadethelookinthelionseyeseempositivelyvegetarian.

    Itfreakedme.Shefreakedme.Itwasherstarquality.Sothatswhattheymean!Ithought.Idneverbefore,noramIlikelytoagain,enteredsuchpsychicforceasstreamedoutofthatfraillittleoldladyiiquelingerieandherwheel-chair.Aherewassomethingundeniablyeroticaboutit,althoughshewasoldasthehills;itwasasthoughshegotthemostextraordinarysexualchargefrombeinglookedatandthischargebouncedbathelooker,asthoughsomemeisminsideherselfvertedyardintosexualenergy.Iwondered,notquiteterrified,ifIwasforit,knowwhatImean.