titudeofglasseyes,liketearsgealedintime,mademefeelverylonely.

    Outside,thesnowflurriedagainstthewindows;thestormhadbeguninear.Iherewasstillohresholdlefttocross.Iguessedshewouldbethere,waitingforme,whoevershewas,althoughIhesitated,ifonlymomentarily,beforethedoorthatleadtothenightnursery,asifunseengryphonsmightguardit.

    Faintglowofanightlightoelpiece;adimtranquillity,here,wheretheairisfullofthealesmellsofchildhood,ofhair,ofsoap,oftalcumpowder,theinsesofhersanctuary.Andthemomeeredthenightnursery,Icouldhearhertransparehing;shehadhardlyhiddenherselfatall,notevenpulledthecoversofherwhite-enamelledcribaroundher.Ihadtakenthegameseriouslybutshe,itsinstigator,hadnot;shehadfallenfastasleepinthemiddleofit,hereyelidsbuttoneddown,herlong,blorihairstreamihepillow.

    Sheworeawhite,fragile,lacesmodherlong,whitestogswerefihesmokybreathofawintersm.Shehadkickedoffherwhitekidsandals.Thislittlehuhislittlequarry,laycurledupwithherthumbwedged,baby-like,inhermouth.

    Thewindyowledintheeyandsedthewindow.ThecurtainsweredrawnsoIclosedthemforherandatoheroomdeempest,soIcouldhavethoughtIhadbeensnugallmylife.Wearinesse;Isankdowninthebasketworkchairbyherbed.IwasloathtoleavethepanyoftheonlylivingthingIdfoundinthemansionandevenifNannybrusquelystormedintointerrogateme,Ireassuredmyselfthatshemustknowhowfotlechargewasofhide-and-seekindeed,musthavebeeninplicitywiththegame,toletmewanderaboutthenurserysuiteinthisunventionalfashion.AndifMummycamein,now,foodnightkisses?Wellsomuchthebetter;Ishould