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Page 45
"Very well, Mrs. Bates. It was three pounds fifty pence. I'll get the receipt."
Linda started to get up, but Mrs. Bates said, "Later will do. I want to get these notes written before I forget."
The correspondence was very simple: a thankyou note for a visit and a reply to an invitation. In the latter, Linda had the peculiar experience of mentioning herself and asking whether it would be convenient for Mrs. Bates to bring her along, as she would have to drive the car. It was a trifle embarrassing. Linda had never felt like a fifth wheel before. It also raised another problem.
When Mrs. Bates had finished dictating, Linda looked up from her long-hand notes. "I . . . about this party . . . will I have to dress? I mean formal dress? You see, I don't have . . ."
Mrs. Bates tskd at her. "I see. I hadn't thought of that. You will need a long dress." She paused and thought, then said, "I will advance you some of your salary, Linda. If you buy a long black skirtor some other neutral color, perhaps a rose color would be pretty for youthen with a pretty blouse or two you can manage very well. It won't be a waste, my dear, because you will need some formal dress for the little parties I give, and when I go abroad, we always dress for dinner."
Linda nodded and smiled. "I would like that. I love to dress, but . . . well . . ."
"Good. Now you will find writing paper in the desk by the window. While you get those notes written, I will speak to Gertrude about

 
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