Then , all at once , Rachel knew who he was . He was her father . She did not say anything , but she laid her curly head down on his shoulder and felt a great happiness , as of one who had come into some longed-for haven . If David Spencer realized that she understood he said nothing . Instead , he began to tell her fascinating stories of far lands he had visited , and strange things he had seen . Rachel listened entranced , as if she were hearkening to a fairy tale . Yes , he was just as she had dreamed him . She had always been sure he could tell beautiful stories . `` Come up to the house and I 'll show you some pretty things , '' he said finally . Then followed a wonderful hour . The little low-ceilinged room , with its square window , into which he took her , was filled with the flotsam and jetsam of his roving life -- things beautiful and odd and strange beyond all telling . The things that pleased Rachel most were two huge shells on the chimney piece -- pale pink shells with big crimson and purple spots . `` Oh , I did n't know there could be such pretty things in the world , '' she exclaimed . `` If you would like , '' began the big man ; then he paused for a moment . `` I 'll show you something prettier still . '' Rachel felt vaguely that he meant to say something else when he began ; but she forgot to wonder what it was when she saw what he brought out of a little corner cupboard . It was a teapot of some fine , glistening purple ware , coiled over by golden dragons with gilded claws and scales . The lid looked like a beautiful golden flower and the handle was a coil of a dragon 's tail . Rachel sat and looked at it rapt-eyed . `` That 's the only thing of any value I have in the world -- now , '' he said .
Rachel knew there was something very sad XXXXX his eyes and voice .
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