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doesn’t think she’ll be free for several hours. That’s an old customer, with her daughters-in-law, and they come to gossip as much as for advice. She’s very sorry. You will have a snack, won’t you?”

For courtesy’s sake, Sassinak took a sandwich. Mirelle hovered, clearly uneasy about something. When Sassinak insisted on leaving, Mirelle exhibited both disappointment and relief.