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Page 29
ber I decided not to include it. I was offering seventy-five pounds per week for the first six monthsbut that includes your food and lodging, of course, and then"
She was interrupted by the sound of a glass set down sharply on the tray of drinks standing on the sideboard. "Oh, Peter," she wailed again, "did you break it?"
"No, I didn't." He turned around, leaning back against the furniture so that the drinks tray scritched across the wood. Mrs. Bates cringed, but this time she said nothing. "You really do like Miss Hepler, don't you?" he said finally with raised brows. "You're making it almost impossible for her to say no."
"But Peter, you know there are disadvantages." Mrs. Bates turned to Linda. "You will have a free day, of course, but it won't be the same day every week and almost never on Sunday because I have most of my visitors on Sunday."
"That will suit me very well," Linda replied, smiling. "I have no family or friends to visit myself, so a free weekday will be best for me, too."
"I guess everything is settled then. I'd better get back to my job," Peter remarked rather glumly. "I'll drop in again soon, Aunt Em. No doubt I'll see you again then, Miss Hepler."
He left in the same rush he had arrived, banging the door. Strangely, the room felt very empty when he was gone, as if a lively little whirlwind had left a dead calm behind. Mrs.

 
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