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''No one can guess about Peterexcept Gertrude." Mrs. Bates smiled and shook her head. "She 'has a feeling.' It was not your fault, Linda, and Gertrude tells me that no serious damage was done. How did you succeed in your driving lesson?" |
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"That went very well. I'm sure I can take you to the hairdresser on Friday. I cancelled the other lesson. I don't need it." |
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"I'm glad to hear that, my dear. Peter's driving is very much like everything else he doesrapid and erratic. I'm afraid it has tired me a little. Will you mind having dinner alone tonight? I think I will have just a light bite in bed." |
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"Of course not. Can I do anything for you, Mrs. Bates?" |
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"Not just now, Linda. Perhaps later I'll ask you to read to me." |
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Gertrude followed Mrs. Bates to her bedroom to help her undress and get into bed, and Linda went slowly back into the sitting room. She picked up the book Peter had knocked down and straightened the slight signs of disorder they had left, puffing pillows and moving a chair slightly. It was significant, Linda thought, that Mrs. Bates had asked no questions about why her nephew had shouted so loud that Gertrude was startled into dropping the tray. Doubtless Peter had offered some explanationbut what had he told her? |
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Whatever it was, Linda realized, pausing in her activities to register the thought more clearly, the explanation had done her no harm in |
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