To his amazement, Sally did not share this enthusiasm. She did not even want to go, and they quarreled again before she abruptly gave in and agreed. Ray felt he would never understand his northern wife, particularly when she began to take great pains in getting ready for the party, getting her hair done and shortening an old long formal that she'd had in college into a cocktail dress. It was simply made of light green lace, sleeveless and with plunging necklines in both front and back, a great deal more sophisticated than the styles she usually wore.

Quiggville was too small to support a country club, but many of the local people were active in the one at the county seat and for this evening, at least, Quiggville natives seemed to dominate the crowd so that the Denhams saw more familiar faces than they had expected.

Several tables had been pushed together in one corner of the large main room and they were welcomed into a group that was already quite lively when they arrived at nine-thirty.

Sally's eyes were drawn irresistibly to the table where the Blodgetts sat. Oh, God, he'd seen her and was staring back! John Blodgett's light blue eyes ran all over her figure appraisingly. Then he nodded and raised his glass to her in a mock toast. Sally sat down, her cheeks blazing, and tried not to look again. Lee Quigg had seen her entrance, too, and he leaned over to whisper in his brother-in-law's ear, "Still think you can fuck her?" Blodgett smiled and made a little circle of his thumb and forefinger. Shortly afterward he got up and made his way to where the Denhams were sitting, greeted Ray effusively and asked Sally to dance. She got up stiffly and joined him.

"You're lookin' mighty pretty tonight, Sally," he commented, immediately pulling her close in an intimate dancing position. "All the local girls are jealous."