Tillie's eyes widen. "Goodness gracious! She was terribly lucky to have such a handsome suitor. How many times did they dance?"

"Only three," says Primmy in disappointment. "But Agatha Hawkins was still fit to be tied. Despite all that Mr. D'aray has done to help Maddock of late, she still thinks he's nothing but an out-and-out scoundrel." Grinning to Tillie as they continue to hang out the wash on the line, Primrose asks, "Do you think he really _is_ her suitor?" She dreamily sighs.

Tillie takes a clothespin from her mouth to respond, "I dunno, but my Mama all but swears he's sweet on Miss Taylor."

To that, Primrose grins. "From what I saw at the dance last night, Miss Taylor is sweet on Mr. D'aray. She kept looking at him. You know, all soft."

Tillie Turner giggles, but adds, "Mama all but swears he's gonna break Miss Taylor's heart. She says it don't matter how much he's done for the town, he's a gambler and a peddler of sin and no amount of fancy manners is gonna make up for that."

As the girls make eye contact, they begin to giggle in unison. "But he suuuure is handsome, isn't he?" Primrose laments.

Tillie emphatically nods in agreement, adding, "And Mama listens to Missus Hawkins too much."

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