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Page 259
than sorry that Peter was wrapped in his own little black cloud. All would be explained soon enough, and he was too old to inflict private woes on guests. What troubled Linda more than Peter's sulks was that Mrs. Bates was not acting as sprightly as usual. Not that she seemed ill; her color was good and she was alert, not dazed. At first Linda had felt a bit guilty, thinking Mrs. Bates was worried about her, but she soon intercepted a couple of glances that indicated it was the open understanding between Mrs. Sotheby and the general that had disturbed her.
Linda was saddened. There did not seem to be any jealousy or anger in Mrs. Bates's occasional glances. What showed on her face in the few unguarded moments when her social mask dropped was loneliness and fear. Her sister-in-law and her friend had drawn together. She, who had been the center around which their relationship had developed, was now outside. Linda felt Mrs. Bates was mistaken. She believed that Mrs. Sotheby and the general would be better company for her now that their own problems were out of the way.
It was unfortunate, Linda thought, that there was no way for her to assure Mrs. Bates of that. And it was really infuriating that Peter, usually so alert to his aunt's needs, had chosen this evening to yield to the green-eyed devil. Now, if ever, Mrs. Bates needed a warm glance and a laughing word of affectionand she was getting nothing. Linda had noticed that each time Mrs. Bates's eyes slid away from Mrs. Sotheby's happy smile,

 
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