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Page 20
in Mrs. Bates's speech. "To tell the truth, I have been waiting outside for over fifteen minutes. I was not quite sure how to get here and did not want to be late, so I was rather early."
Mrs. Bates laughed. "You should have come up at once. You must be chilled. Would you like some tea?"
Linda was pleasantly surprised. The saccharine quality of the voice had given her a qualm of uneasiness, but the offer and manner were truly kind. "Yes, indeed, I should like some very much. Thank you."
"Some Americans do not like tea," Mrs. Bates commented as she gestured Linda to a seat near a small table set with a variety of cakes and small sandwiches as well as cups and saucers and a china tea service of exquisite delicacy. "Will you pour, please."
"Certainly," Linda replied.
Mrs. Bates was apparently cleverer than she looked. Her round blue eyes under silky white hair drawn back into a graceful bun, which was obviously the work of a skillful hairdresser, gave her an appearance of innocence. Nevertheless the invitation to tea was a test as well as a kindness. Linda blessed the expensive finishing school she had attended before college, which still stressed such unfashionable arts as pouring tea and curtsying to royalty.
"Milk or lemon?" Linda inquired, with the teapot poised above a steadily held cup and saucer.
"Neither, thank you, but I like it very weak." A naughty smile made Mrs. Bates look like a

 
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