Question

5. Isn't that young lady Miss Polly Simpson?” asked Jimmy, with specious guile.
“Naw,” said the boy. “She's Annabel Adams. Her pa owns this bank.

a. Why does Jimmy Valentine refer to the young woman in Elmore as “Polly Simpson?
b. What is her actual name?

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Asking him about a made-up woman called Polly Simpson is a clever trick to try and discover the lady's true identity. It also makes it sound as if Jimmy's more familiar with the town and its people than he actually is. The last thing Jimmy wants to do is to stand out in the boy's mind.