Some of the children essayed to tease her; she seemed quite unconscious
of their efforts, but I turned and spoke to them rather sharply. The next
time I looked up, her strange, smiling eyes were fixed full on my face.
I glanced away quickly, with a nervous shiver, and moved a little farther
off. As I did so, Silvy, regarding me in that same dreamily contemplative
manner, walked toward me a step or two, and as I continued to move away,
she walked slowly after me.
My acquaintance with the unconfined insane had not been extensive enough
to allow me to regard her motions with that mingled amusement and
curiosity, which was the only sentiment expressed on the countenances of
the Wallencampers who stood watching us; but I concluded that it was
better to face about, and meet my pursuer with an air of fearlessness. I
did so, and held out my hand to her as she came up.
"How do you do, Silvy?" I said.
"Oh, no!" said Silvy, thrusting her hands behind her, laughing softly,
and shaking her head. "Not with the queen of heaven! Not with the queen
of heaven!"
I thought I detected Emily's derisive influence in this poor, simple
creature's words.
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