“Come here so I see you better.” The dark papyrus hand cupped her chin, lifting her face for its man’s satisfaction. “Every time you grow more into your beauty. Do you know that? Do you study and learn? Does fat papa keep you busy at books? Books keep lovely girls from troubles. Do you know? He should know.”

He surveyed her calmly. An upturned palm extended a silent invitation for her to grasp it, and she cautiously complied. “He inside?” He shrugged toward the doomed house with his chin.

“He’s boxing and sorting more," she explained in sad resignation.

“Hmph. Go tellem I’m here. Right?”

Gretel loped quickly into the house.