"Can you pretend you're a neutroid?"
"I can play neutroid. I play neutroid with Daddy sometimes, when people
come to see him. He gives me candy when I play it. When can I go home?"
"Not now. There's a man coming to see us. Can you play neutroid for me?
We'll give you lots of candy. Just don't talk. Pretend you're asleep."
"Now?"
"Now." He heard the door chimes ringing.
"Who is it?" Anne asked.
"I don't know. He may have the wrong house. Take Peony in the bedroom.
I'll answer it."
His wife caught the child-thing up in her arms and hurried away. The
chimes sounded again. Norris stalked down the hall and switched on the
porch-light. The visitor was an elderly man, erect in his black suit
and radiating dignity. As he smiled and nodded, Norris noticed his
collar. A clergyman. Must have the wrong place, Norris thought.
"Are you Inspector Norris?"
The agent nodded, not daring to talk.
"I'm Father Paulson. I'm calling on behalf of a James O'Reilley. I
think you know him. May I come in?"
Grudgingly, Norris swung open the door. "If you can stand the smell of
paganism, come on in."
The priest chuckled politely. Norris led him to the parlor and turned
on the light. He waved toward a chair.
"What's this all about? Does O'Reilley want something?"
Paulson smiled at the inspector's brusque tone and settled himself in
the chair. "O'Reilley is a sick man," he said.