Sally was at first annoyed that he would joke about a matter which was so very serious to her. She looked at him rather severely and he stared back at her with a direct, disturbing gaze. Good heavens, he couldn't be… he wasn't suggesting… no, she could only treat it as a pleasantry, an inept one. So she smiled at him innocently. She had never really had the opportunity to study John Blodgett before at close range. He certainly did not look to be in poor health, nor old enough to retire. Although streaked with grey, his hair was as thick as Ray's and worn in modish sideburns. He was a large man and undeniably a handsome one and his oddly compelling gaze was raking her from head to toe! Sally felt the first prickle of discomfort, and feared that he had misunderstood her intentions in coming here. She had hoped of course to take advantage of her feminine position, but not… not by demeaning herself!

"Is there anything you can do for us? Have you any advice?" she asked, growing more uneasy every second that his now frankly lecherous eyes devoured her body. He smiled in answer, slowly and confidently.

"There might be, Sally," he paused to let his words sink in. "There just might be. Tell me what ever made a northern gal like you marry a no-account like Ray Denham?"

"What do you mean, no-account?" she blazed, getting angrily to her feet, "I love Ray!" The dog, Duke, stirred and lifted his head again.

"Why, there's not another man in this stupid little town who's got onetenth of Ray's brains and ambition!"

"Oh, I know all that," he answered mildly, "but he hasn't got any money, any family, any backing. You should have married a man with some position in the world."

"Don't underestimate us, Mr. Blodgett," she said icily, "Ray will have position some day, and I'll fight to help him get it."

"Uh-huh. And just how far are you willing to go, honey, to help your husband?"