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Page 67
Barthemeles, who seemed to have taken a great liking to her on the Wednesday night he had dined with Mrs. Bates.
The general, like his old friend's wife, was old-fashioned, so Mrs. Bates told him about Linda's new enterprise as soon as the how-do-you-do's were said. As luck would have it, Mrs. Barthemeles had been a great knitter. Linda had to go and fetch her work, and the general examined it knowledgeably. On her way back from returning the knitting to her room, Linda could not help hearing the general's penetrating voice right though the door.
"Delightful gel. Just what Emmeline needs."
A lighter rumble, baritone rather than paradeground bass, alerted Linda that some other guests had arrived. The voice was familiar, although the words were unintelligible, and for a split second Linda felt unreasonably frightened. As she opened the door, the rumble resolved itself into Peter Tattersall's voice.
" . . . wasn't too pleased at first. I had thought an older woman would be bettercloser in outlook and interests, you know."
"You're wrong about that," the general stated positively. He smiled toward Linda as she came in. "I was just telling Peter here that Emmeline knows what's best for her."
"Yes, but you'll never convince Peter," Mrs. Bates said with a light laugh. "He thinks I'm in my dotage."
Linda was startled. Despite the laugh and

 
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