The pale face glanced up haltingly, as though in slow motion. Her pupils dilated as if she could not believe he was speaking to her. Then, his words slowly sank in. He thought she wanted money. To him, she was persona non grata. She caressed his face, trying to convey her affections for him through her eyes which welled with tears. He was on tenter hooks. Trembling, he avoided looking at her. Abruptly, she left. Several hours later, the girl brought in a tray of food for him. She was holding it well out in front of her, and rather high up, as though the tray were a pair of reins on a frisky horse.