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Excerpt 5 —
The Innocent Gaze
Approx. 165 words
‘Witchcraft,’
pronounced Granny, ‘is a private affair. Being a witch is like having a
birthmark on your … er … leg, dear. It's not something you show to just
anyone.’
Seven-year-old Amanda sat thoughtfully at the dining table, with her hands
folded in her lap, and considered this new piece of information gravely.
‘What if it’s summer and I don’t have socks on. Wouldn’t they be able to see
it?’
‘Above the knee, Amanda, dear,’ Granny said patiently.
‘Oh.’
‘Now, there may, in the course of your life,’ Senara continued carefully,
‘appear certain persons who may develop curiosity about you and your
grandparents. You will now begin learning how to deflect their interest and to
depress pretention.’
Amanda looked uncertain.
‘You do not, thankfully, have much to do with the village children, so this
kind of inappropriate enquiry is most likely to come from an adult, who may
invite your confidence.’
‘And I say “no”?’ asked Amanda.
‘First,’ asserted Granny, ‘and better still, you must master The Innocent
Gaze.’
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