Phoebe Greyson reads Truman Capote’s “Miriam,” the 1945 short story that first brought Capote to the attention of the literary world.

This dreamlike tale of a lonely widow in New York City, and the eerily intelligent young girl she meets, won an O. Henry Award. The title may refer either to the widow or the girl, who are both named Miriam – and perhaps only one of them actually exists. You decide.

Music: “Walking Distance,” by Bernard Herrmann.

Directed by Fredric Dannen.