Mermaid

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The girl was conspicuous even before she entered the office. It was a windy day and everything was in motion except her face. Her coat beat against her legs like captive wings and her long fair hair seemed to be trying to tie itself into knots. The sign above the door, SMEDLER, DOWNS, CASTLEBERG, MACFEE, POWELL, ATTORNEYS at LAW, twisted and turned as if the partners were struggling among themselves.

Charity Nelson, Mr. Smedler’s private secretary, was taking the receptionist’s place during the lunch hour because she herself was on a diet and didn’t want to see or think of food.

The front door opened and the wind pushed the girl into the office. She looked surprised at what had happened. She was very thin, which made Charity think about food and sent nasty little pains up and down and around her stomach.

She said irritably, “What can I do for you?”

“I like the little cage.”

“Little cage?”

“The one outside... the one at the back.”

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