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THE BOND
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thing. Let Gerald Dallas drink himself to death if he chose, or if he could not help it. He was right—she did despise him. And let Basil dine out if he chose, and be angry about nothing, and make himself odious. She suspected that he was beginning to have secrets from her. If so, it was all over between them. It was clear that no dependence was to be placed on any of the creatures. Aunt Sophia was perfectly right. She thought of Aunt Sophia because that lady's voice—clear, slightly nasal and authoritative—was now to be heard dominating the slight buzz in the other room.
