The girl couldn’t utter a word. Her heart was pounding, her breath uneven. He stepped back.

— I disgust you, don’t I? I’m sorry… I never meant to scare you.

She shook her head and said softly:

— No… you don’t disgust me. I just need time to adjust. I thought there was an old man under the mask. But you… you’re different. And you saved my family. I don’t know what the future holds, but… you’re not frightening. I was just in shock.

He smiled for the first time in many years — cautiously, as if afraid even that might hurt her.