She would not look at him; she then said she could not look at him as it was forbidden; and then she said that she had even forbidden herself from looking at him.  No need to, she said, because I can see you very clearly without looking at you.  He thanked her for her frankness, but asked for clarity.  All your manners, she said.  He asked for a specific.  You ask questions, she said, you put yourself in a position to listen.  She slowly shifted and then turned her back to him, ending their exchange. In a borrowed tone, he thanked her for helping him understand how his manners meant more to her than what he looked like.  And, surprising himself, he thanked her again, his head in a low bow as he retreated.  It was an old custom in her culture which he had picked up that had all of a sudden felt apt.