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           Or,well,youcouldevencutdownonJill’scostumealittle.You’vegotanawfulcutefigure,hon."

           Jillshookherhead."Thatwouldn’tdoit."

           "Well,IsawamagicianoncethatusedtobringhisassistantoutdressedfortheGay‘Nineties–theeighteen-nineties,thatis–notevenherlegsshowing.Thenhewoulddisappearonegarmentafteranother.Themarkslovedit.Butdon’tmisunderstandme,dear–nothingunrefined.Shefinished?oh,inalmostasmuchasyouwearnow."

           "Patty,"Jillsaidfrankly,"I’ddoouractstarknakediftheclownswouldn’tclosetheshow."Asshesaidit,sherealizedthatshemeantit–andwonderedhowGraduateNurseBoardman,floorsupervisor,hadreachedthepointwhereshecouldmeanit?

           Mike,ofcourse-Andshewasquitehappyaboutit.

           Mrs.Paiwonskishookherhead."Youcouldn’t,honey.Themarkswouldriot.Justatouchmoregingerale,dear.Butifyou’vegotagoodfigure,whynotuseit?HowfardoyouthinkIwouldgetasatattooedladyiiIdidn’tpeeloffallthey’llletme?"

           "Speakingofthat,"Mikesaid,"youdon’tlookcomfortableinallthoseclothes,Pat.Ithinktheaircoolinginthisdumphasgonesouragain–itmustbeatleasteighty."Hehimselfwasdressedinalightrobe,hisconcessiontotheeasy-goingconventionsofcarneygoodmanners.Extremeheat,hehadlearned,affectedhimslightly,enoughsothathesometimeshadtoadjustconsciouslyhismetabolism-extremecoldaffectedhimnotatall.