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did not protest Mrs. Bates's statement that she was hired. |
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The matter of salary was different. Linda, whose monthly income might easily be greater than the annual salary Mrs. Bates would offer, found to her surprise that she cared intensely about the amount. Having promised herself she would live on what she earned, she realized that a pound or two might make the difference between laddered pantyhose and a new pair. Besides, she knew from experience that people only appreciated what they paid for. Volunteers were "only volunteers" despite the lip service of praise offered them. So, delighted as she was by Mrs. Bates's stratagem, she could not let her get away with it or the clever old thing would take more and more advantage. |
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"I'm free right now," Linda said, "and I could start any time that suited you. But, Mrs. Bates, we never got around to discussing salary." |
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It was a dangerous ploy. Linda was taking advantage of Peter Tattersall's presence to force Mrs. Bates into offering her a fair salary. She assumed that Peter's aunt wouldn't want to cheapen herself in his eyes by miserliness. She was also sure that Mrs. Bates would recognize her move and, if she was not willing to accept tit for tat, she could set so low a wage that Linda would be forced to refuse. But Linda's devious thinking process seemed to be wasted. Mrs. Bates looked genuinely surprised and uttered a little laugh. |
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"But I thought that was inOh, no, I remem- |
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