It only made the dress cling faithfully to every curving high-point of her figure. On the hanger it had seemed so demure and simple, but now when it was stretched over her high thrusting breasts and caressing her soft fluid hipline, the dress was almost blatantly sexy. It would do nicely, she thought, for the purpose of charming John Blodgett onto their side. She hastily buckled on white sandals, dabbed a touch of lipstick on her small, prettily curved mouth and picked up her purse.

She hurried down the stairs and out of their private entrance which fortunately did not open into the drugstore. God, it was hot … she would be perspiring before she had crossed the square! One of the things Sally disliked about Quiggville was that everyone knew your business, since everyone's business was transacted on the square – bank, doctor's office, finance company or whatever. Hopefully she would not be observed entering the side door that led to the rooms over the bank, although of course she had a perfect right to go there if she wished. She reached the entrance without meeting anyone she knew and let herself into the gloomy hallway. The sagging old oiled wood stairs creaked beneath her light tread.

John Blodgett's office door stood open. Evidently he had been looking for something, as his desk was strewn with papers. As Sally reached his doorway he looked up, face blank for only a second. Then he smiled in welcome.

«Why, hi there, Miz Denham! You doin' all right?»

«Fine, thank you,» she acknowledged, all her courage abruptly deserting her.

«Well, just come right in. You, uh, lookin' for me?»

«Yes, if you're not busy, I would like to talk with you for a few minutes.» As she moved toward the chair he indicated, Sally nearly tripped over a big black and tan German shepherd that had been completely concealed by the desk. «Oh!» she exclaimed nervously, and the animal raised its head and regarded her alertly although not otherwise moving from its reclining position.