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Page 172
hoped Mrs. Bates would refuse, and that hope was fulfilled.
"Not tonight, my dear. I think I'll go to sleep early. You just enjoy yourself."
And enjoy herself Linda did. Donald danced like a dream and Peterwell, he shouldn't have danced at all, but Linda didn't mind getting her toes stepped on if she could be in Peter's arms. There were other young men, too, and whenever Linda returned to the table everyone was in the best of good spirits and on best behavior. Linda even danced with the general, a staid foxtrot, although now that it had been brought to her attention she noticed how very much his interest was centered on Mrs. Sotheby.
Linda danced until the last strains of "Good Night Sweetheart" signalled the end of the party. To avoid recriminations, she refused all offers to escort her to her cabin, even from a young man who pursued her out onto the deck. He was so young and so hopeful, however, that Linda stood talking for a few minutes before she refused him again and moved away. Although she should have been dropping with fatigue, Linda knew she would not be able to sleep immediately and did not want to return to her cramped stateroom at once. The night was only refreshingly chilly, so she clambered down an external companionway and set off with a swinging stride to walk off her excitement.
As Linda turned the curve of the ship's body, it seemed to her that she heard a faint clang from the metal stairs. It made no particular

 
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