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Page 222
men who had done very well in clearing and furbishing and dismissed them to lighter work. This also permitted her to examine what had been done and what was yet to be done without the distraction of excuses and arguments and suggestions while she waited for Geoffrey to arrive. This time when she entered the garden it was necessary to lock Brian out. The fresh-dug earth would be too much for his self-control. Joanna bid him stay and wandered to and fro, marking a branch here and there for pruning and bending to examine the woody stems of the perennials for signs of new shoots. The sound of a boat grating against the stone steps that went down to the river made her lift her head and smile radiantly.

 
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