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Page 258
Mrs. Bates said no more about Peter, changing the subject to the final arrangements for dinner. Fortunately, as it was nearly time to dress, she was in general very pleased. The few suggestions she had for changes in Linda's plans took only moments to carry out and Linda was free to change her clothes. She grinned as she put away the sleeveless blouse she had planned to wear and took out a long-sleeved lace affair. Peter's fingermarks had already upset Mrs. Bates enough. They didn't need to become public. He really grabbed me, Linda thought, looking at the bruises, which were already changing from red to black-and-blue. She hoped he wouldn't disgrace himself further by acting silly at dinner.
If Peter didn't actually disgrace himself, he came close to it. His eyes were glaring, his lips thinned to an ugly line, and the best that could be won from him in conversation was a disgruntled monosyllable. Fortunately, everyone else was in very high spirits indeed. Donald and Rose-Anne were bubbling with laughter and smart remarks that were, for once, completely good-natured. Mrs. Paxton, her brother, and his son and daughter were very ready to join in the hilarity. And from the glow in Mrs. Sotheby's eyes and the gleam in the general's, Linda guessed that the flowers might have brought the gentleman to a declaration.
It was pleasant, Linda thought, to be able to relax. The party was going very well without any application of social oil. She was more annoyed

 
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