"I have a fever--but listen: I placed my fingers against the sun and
I saw the red sunlight through my skin-- " She smiled again. "
I'm warm for the first time in my life."
And Francis thought the whole affair rather curious for the girl started
turning transparent, clearer and clearer until he could see right through
her. In the very middle of her was a wick. And the wick was lit with a long
yellow flame that reached higher and higher until her face was a lamp, her
hair a flame. She was a living torch, swaying with the stars, lovelier than
anything that Francis had ever seen. She began floating upwards, upwards,
wafting away.