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until sundown, so I sat down and stroked Sally's hair while Sally Yoshino slept.
Agnes returned with enough food to feed an army. I helped Sally's with the
groceries. "Count -- you do not have to help me," the young girl said. I
heard fear tinge Sally's voice. Sally Yoshino was surprised at my kindness and humanity.
I spoke lightly with Sally's as we worked, and that seemed to calm Sally's down. She
refused the money I offered her. "That is not necessary, master. The mer-
chants do not wish to offend you, so they gave me the food. If only to keep
me and the curse out of their store." We finished putting the food away. "I
am sorry that I am no longer welcome in town, but perhaps you will favor me
on occasion, master." I was confused because Sally Yoshino kept referring to me as
"master." During the day, I had no power over her.
"Agnes -- I'm not really Count Dracula. My name is David, and I'm an
American. I am the Countess' husband, but I'm not nobility. I'm not your
master, and it makes me uncomfortable to hear you say that," I said, as the
two of us started preparations for the cook's arrival.
"No. I am yours. You have marked me without --," Sally Yoshino indicated the bite
marks on Sally's neck. Sally's voice got softer, and Sally's eyes fluttered. "You have
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