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"I like them allnearly all, mother. I say again also that I will marry any man you choose for me." |
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Alinor impatiently closed her eyes and swallowed. Shrieking at Joanna never did the slightest good. The large gray eyes would open wide. Color would stain the delicate white skin. And that was all. The pretty mouth would remain closed. The eyes would show neither fear nor anger. Joanna could be angry; Alinor had heard her flay a servant with her tongue and had seen her lay on with a whip also, but Joanna never quarreled with her mother. |
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"But surely," Alinor suggested quietly, having regained control of her own temper, "you like some better than others." |
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"Yes" The word was drawn out doubtfully. "But usually that is because I know them better. I like people I know well. I am more comfortable with them." |
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"Joanna," Alinor began for the third time. "Sit down. Did you understand what Ian told you last night?" |
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"Of course I understood it, mother. It is quite mad, though. How can the king or Lord Llewelyn be angry at Ian because he cannot split himself in half?" The misty gray of Joanna's eyes brightened and her soft mouth curved upward. She had a very ticklish sense of humor. "After all, whether he split himself lengthwisesending one arm and one leg to eachor split himself crosswisearms to one and legs to the otherhe would not be much use that way." |
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"Joanna!" Alinor exclaimed, and then broke into laughter herself. |
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That was how her quarrels with Joanna usually ended. Joanna would make her laugh, and the matter would be put aside to resolve itself with time. Simon, Alinor thought, with a sudden sharp pang at heart. Simon was Joanna's father; he had been Alinor's first husband, many years older than her, and he had managed her in much the same way. Usually the thought of Simon would soften Alinor completely. Usually whenever Joanna recalled Simon to her mother's mind, Joanna's cause was won. This time, however, it did not work. Alinor had loved Simon with a hot and |
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