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Page 102
in her frilled bedjacket, and she sighed when Linda came in.
"You look tired, my dear. I suppose you lay awake half the night worrying about what happened. Now that was very foolish. I told you I am able to take care of myself. Now don't turn into another Peter, forever telling me what to do and worrying about me."
"But"
"No buts. You don't know what happened, but I do. I'm sorry I was a little slow in realizing it so that you got a fright, but I assure you it was only a piece of naughty mischief. I won't tell you who perpetrated it or why because"she paused, looked at Linda, and shook her head"you are no actress, and your attitude toward the person would change. That would show, and I wouldn't want that, especially since I know that no harm was intended. In fact, the intention was good, even though the method was terribly foolish."
"The intention was good?" Linda echoed unbelievingly.
Mrs. Bates laughed. "Yes. Now do stop thinking about it. I assure you nothing like that will ever happen again. I'll have a word with that sillyNever you mind. Now the first thing you must do is write to Josephine Paxton for me. She is to tell the caretakers to get the villa ready and also let the housekeeper know that the heavy luggage will be shipped ahead this time." A shadow crossed her face and she said with a small quaver, "Shipping separately will be safe, won't it?"

 
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