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"Well, I’m sure Maxine wouldn’t do that Besides, I already told her to do the floors in there and take down the drapes I can’t turn around and tell her the opposite"

"Don’t worry about it I’ll tell her s,"’Ori warned

"All I’ to do is tell her I’ll clean ainst the woman? She’s always liked you"

Royce stirred irritably "Godda as privacy If she doesn’t want Maxine in her room, then so be it Keep her out of my room, too, while you’re at it I feel the same way Ann does"

"Well, pardon me, I’m sure!" Ori snorted

Ann seemed surprised by Royce’s support, but she didn’t dare comment I’d seen his loyalties alter inexplicably, but there didn’t seem to be any pattern to the shift As a result, she was often caught up short or in some way made to look foolish

Ori was now annoyed and her face was set with stubbornness She lapsed into silence Ann studied her dinner plate I was casting about desperately for a reason to excuse myself

Royce focused onquizzed at the table It’s one of the reasons I choose to eat alone I mentioned my conversation with Daisy and the brief intervieith the dentist I was detailing soround information I’d picked up on Jean when he cutht "That isn’t clear"

"I’ you to talk to that pansy of a dentist"

"Then I’ll do it onto do with Jean Wouldn’t give her the tiood She told hed into his fist

"He did date her briefly"

Ann’s face lifted "David Poletti did?"