Rituals of the Season

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My thanks to Sheila Kay Adams for her cousin’s definition of spinsters and old maids; to Louise Guardino of the A/B Afterburners for enlightening me about softball bats; to Aria and John McElhenny, who let me borrow a clever feature from their own wedding reception; and to Daniel “Chipp” Bailey, Chief Deputy Sheriff of Mecklenburg County, NC, for his technical expertise.

District Court Judges Shelly S. Holt and Rebecca W. Blackmore, of the 5th Judicial District Court (New Hanover and Pender Counties, NC), and Special Superior Court Judge John Smith continue to keep me updated on North Carolina law and court procedures. I owe them more than I can ever repay.

Margaret Maron

Johnston County, NC

Many believe that politeness is but a mask worn in the world to conceal bad passions and impulses, and to make a show of possessing virtues not really existing in the heart; thus, that politeness is merely hypocrisy and dissimulation. Do not believe this; be certain that those who profess such a doctrine are themselves practising the deceit they condemn so much . . . True politeness is the language of a good heart.

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