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"Then we could have dinner, either at the hotel orI'll have to check with Mrs. Bates to find out whether she has some favorite place she'd like to eat so I can make reservations." Linda took out a little pocket diary, which used to be sparsely filled and now was densely overwritten and found a spot to make a note. Then, quite suddenly, she yawned. She covered her mouth and gasped, "Oh, excuse me." |
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The General smiled kindly. "No, no, m'dear. I know it's the effort, not the company. Off you go to your compartment. Sleep well." |
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Over the next week, Linda did manage to avoid meeting her old friends, although disaster was only narrowly averted twice: once when Mrs. Bates chose to shop at the same modiste favored by Ethel Levy and again in Maxim's where Joseph Sarnov was having an early pre-theater snack when Linda's party was having dinner. Linda escaped recognition, but her heart was pounding and her hands were clammy with anxiety each time. |
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On the train to Florence, Linda was less exhausted. Mrs. Sotheby seemed either cowed or reassured by General Barthemeles. He had only to say firmly, "You did not forget it, Harriet. It is with the luggage and Linda has checked on that," to reduce her to quiescence. Linda was not sure it was a happy quiescence and she spoke hesitantly about it to the general, but he merely replied she should leave Harriet to him. Mrs. Bates, now that the initial move |
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