|
|
|
|
|
|
Linda took a sip of the tea she had poured for herself as a delaying tactic. Up to this moment she had been speaking only the truth and she knew her manner was easy and natural. Now she had to begin on the tissue of half-truths and evasions she had worked out to support her tale of needing a job. Linda did not like to lie. She was afraid it would show in her face. She began with another completely truthful remark. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"I'm afraid I have no experience as a companion at all. Your advertisements said" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Yes, I remember. I said no experience was necessary. I didn't mean experience as a companion. You must have done some kind of work after your university graduation, however." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
That was just what Linda had not done. Aside from charity work, she had simply lived on her very generous income, but she had known that this question would be asked and had planned an answer. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Actually, I have done very little. I worked as a social secretary for a charitable organizationthe March of Dimesfor a little while. But then an insurance policy left to me by my parents came due and I decided to spend a year or two seeing the world before I really settled down. Unfortunately" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Are you an orphan, my dear?" |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"My parents died when I was very young. I do not even remember them." |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The door sprang open, interrupting Mrs. Bates, to reveal a tall, gangling, extremely |
|
|
|
|
|