'then i realized someone ahead of me was pointing to the stairs i was now past it , and within only a few feet of the door i turned round , and saw a child on the stairway , a very pretty little blond-haired girl no doubt it was antha , though she looked rather small for eight years she was dressed in a flannel nightgown and barefoot , and she was crying , and looking over the railing into the doors of the front room .