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"Mrs. Bates's doctor! Oh, no! That's not right, and besides, look at her. Her breathing is good and her color is good. She looks as if she's asleepjust as if she fell asleep." |
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"But Gertrude, people don't fall asleep in the middle of a conversation like that." |
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Linda was trembling with fear. She had seen people who looked asleep, who had good color and quiet breathing at first, but who drifted deeper and deeper until they were in irreversible coma. Her friends had not been immune from the drug epidemic and its tragedies. But Gert was no drug-taker. Linda was almost prepared to swear to that, and she had taken nothing, eaten and drunk nothingexcept the candy. The candy! |
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Meanwhile Gertrude had been shaking her niece roughly. Gert's eyes opened and rolled around vaguely. "What's the matter with you?" Gertrude shouted. "Sit up! Come on, sit up!" |
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With help, Gert managed this. Her eyes kept closing, and she mumbled protests, but Gertrude forced her to her feet and, with Linda helping, started her niece in a staggering walk around and around the small room. |
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"Gertrude," Linda whispered in a frightened voice, "it's the candy. Someone left that candy for Mrs. Bates. It has to be the candy. We must call a doctor. We must tell Mrs. Bates." |
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Over Gert's wobbling head, Gertrude stared at Linda. "Oh, no, miss. Oh, no. No one would . . . Oh, no, no!" Desperately, Gertrude slapped her |
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