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Page 198
companion, one is usually treated like dirt, but everyone has been kinder than kind to me."
Donald laughed. "It might have something to do with you, you know. You don't whine or snivel or sneak around sighing and sorry for yourself. But it's Aunt Em, too. She's the dearest person. Oh, maybe she's got a little crotchety since she was so sick, and she's always been a terrible teasepulls my mother's leg all the time, and Mum has quite a temper under the flutterbut she's kind and generous in the right way. Oh, like with you and that Samson fellow. She was teasing you, but she was quite right about how to get rid of him."
"She was quite right to point out that I couldn't have it both ways. It's very sobering to realize one has prided oneself on being kind, but only wants to be kind at one's own convenience. Either kindness must be carried right through or it's just another form of cruelty."
"Oh, you caught that, did you? Didn't know our family type of innuendo would get through to you, but you're as keen as mustardthat's my mother's vintage slang. Oh, damn! You can't help loving them, but their ideas are set in concrete. Old people are the devil. They can mess up your life."
Linda was somewhat startled by the sudden intensity that broke through Donald's veneer of sophistication. She was undecided whether to put him off with some silly platitude or ask sincerely what was troubling him. In the moment that she hesitated, however, she became aware

 
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