Outback Art Fair Sales Report, part three: Why didn't I ask?

Why didn't I ask questions? Why did I talk and talk until she got away? 
   Two ladies stepped into my tent on Sunday at the Outback. I assume they were a mother and her middle aged daughter. They stared at a particular piece, "Striped Stone" below. Then they went to another, "On the Trail to Little Presgue Isle", also below. She asked me what place "Striped" represented. I told her it was Little Presque point. She asked the same about "Trail", and I told her it was the same area, only further south.

   The two ladies went back from one to the other, gazing. I asked if they'd ever been there. The younger lady smiled and said she lived near there. I had a very interested person here!
   She asked about a frame. Could they take direct sun? What size were they? She asked her the older lady which she liked better. I explained the process of painting them. I offered to hold it while she finished shopping if she bought it. I offered to deliver it at the end of the day if she didn't want to carry it around. She said she had to think about it. She asked if I had a card. 
   They walked away, but turned around and looked again. She made a phone call, and stared. She got off the phone and stared. Then they left and they didn't come back.
    I knew she wanted one of the paintings. I was desperately trying to figure out how I could 'reel her in.' I've been replaying the exchange in my head ever since. What could I have done? Suddenly, Zig Ziggler told me in his book "Secrets to Closing the Sale".
   Notice how SHE asked most of the questions. I barely asked her any. Zig stresses the importance of questions. Questions can be used to find out what the prospect might be afraid of. They can be used to let a person talk themselves into it. 
   I should have asked her what was stopping her. Was it the price? Was she worried about the quality? Did she need to talk it over with her husband? (I'd have pointed out that $325 wasn't too much to ask for a lifetime of happiness!) I should have asked where she planned to hang it. Was it near a window with a similar view? The only thing I asked was if she wanted me to hold it for her. 
   The story still ends well. "Trail" was sold to somebody else later that day, and it really didn't take much effort from me at all! 
   Maybe my art does sometimes sell itself?
   "Striped Stone" is still for sale! Would you like me to hold it for you?