Gertie dreamed about the day when Kelley would pull up to her yard and take her away to some new and exciting place. But before she could do that, something wonderful happened, and she met Willard. She felt captivated by the interest he had taken in her. At last, she was beginning to feel important. She had never felt so special, not since she was a little girl back home with her papa. Not only was she impressed by the dark tan on his arms from hoeing tobacco long hours every day in the blazing sun, but also the masculinity of his form left her dazzled. Indeed, she wanted him to come again.