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Page 79
Linda knew that the group, with occassional additions, met every Sunday and knew each other well, so the silence could not be normal. In fact, Mrs. Bates was already looking toward her mute nephews and niece with a puzzled, faintly hurt expression.
"Your mother tells me you work for BBC television on the production side," Linda said hastily, wondering if she were a fool to leap into what might be a family quarrela place angels surely feared to tread.
"Oh, well," Donald replied, "it sounds grand, but I'm really a glorified errand boy."
Still, the sneer was suddenly gone from his face and his petulant lips assumed a more pleasant curve. Clearly, he loved his work and was genuinely interested in it. Linda drew a little sigh of relief. He was nice looking, handsomer than his sister when his face was not marred by an unpleasant expression. She smiled.
"Yes, but that doesn't tell me any more about your job. What, if you insist on that status, do you run errands about?"
Donald laughed. "About production."
"I suppose I deserved that." Linda sighed.
"No, you didn't. You were tactfully encouraging social conversation, and I was deliberately blocking your delicate gambit."
"But I wasn't!" Linda protested. "I mean, I didn't ask to be social. I really want to know. You see, I've met some television actors, but"
"Where did you meet actors?" Peter asked sharply.

 
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