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At precisely four o'clock, Linda was ushered into an apartment of delicate Edwardian elegance. There was nothing faded about it, however. It was apparent in the recently recovered seats of damask blue, the polished wood and sparkling glass that Mrs. Bates had money to spend and kept her pre-World War I furniture because she loved it. |
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"Miss Hepler, madam," the maid announced, and backed out, closing the door. |
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A small, slightly plump woman got spryly to her feet and came forward with a smile. "Good afternoon, Miss Hepler. Come and sit down. You are very prompt." The voice, high and almost too sweet, was unmistakable. |
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"Yes." Linda smiled, but she didn't fail to notice the old-fashioned lack of contractions |
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