"That's just Duke," Blodgett chuckled, "You 'fraid of dogs, Miz Denham?"

"N-no, I love dogs," she laughed self-consciously, "He startled me, that's all." She reached down to stroke the dog's glossy head. She had seen the magnificent animal before, usually looking out the rear window of the station wagon. Sally crossed her shapely bare legs and folded her hands demurely in her lap, looking directly into the ruddy, handsome face of her husband's boss.

"Mr. Blodgett, Ray-Ray and I are very disappointed about your decision to sell the drugstore. That's what I want to talk to you about. Ray doesn't know that I'm here… it was entirely my own idea to come… s-so I hope you won't say anything to him about it."

"Well, now, is that a good idea, for a nice little wife to keep secrets from her husband?" he drawled, but from his understanding smile Sally knew he was only teasing her. In fact, his easy-going informality was putting her more and more at ease, so she plunged on.

"No, of course it isn't, but I guess wives have always, interfered a little bit… when they thought it was necessary. You see, I understand my husband so much better than anyone else does. He's very proud-too proud to come right out and tell you how much he wants to own that drugstore, or at least be a partner. I'm sure you know that's why we decided to come here in the first place," she made this last remark rather pointed and then looked up anxiously to see whether it had offended him. Apparently not, for he was still smiling in a kindly way. He seemed to be staring at her legs and she shifted her position a bit in the chair and tugged her skirt down before continuing, "Ray is going to ask the bank for a loan, to buy you out. I-I'm sure that your … your help, your recommendation would be very, uh, persuasive to the people at the bank. I believe you're related to the bank president?"

"Brother-in-law," John Blodgett said, nodding, "Lee Quigg is my wife's twin."