She heard the dog's joyous whine, and then she felt the warm caress of his tongue upon her bare hands as she thrust them between the sapling bars.
"NON, NON; you are not a devil," she cried softly, her voice filled with a strange tremble.

"O-o-ee, my SOKETAAO, I prayed, PRAYED--and you came.

Yes, on my knees each night I prayed to Our Blessed Lady that she might have mercy on my baby, and make the sun in heaven shine for her through all time.

AND YOU CAME! And the dear God does not send devils in answer to prayer.

NON; never!" And Miki, as though some spirit had given him the power to understand, rested the weight of his bruised and beaten head on her hands.
From the edge of the forest Durant was watching.