Why Does This Variable Vanish?

[Ben Ocean]

Hi;
Here's my code:
 >>>
    import smtplib
    file = open("outfile.txt", "r")
    line = file.readline()
    server = smtplib.SMTP("localhost")
    server.sendmail("beno at thewebsons.com", "beno at thewebsons.com", line)
    server.quit()
<<<
The variable *line* in the 2nd to last line of code doesn't print anything. 
Now, if I put a *print line* command after *line = file.readline()* it'll 
print to screen. And if I define *line = "whatever"*  and put it after the 
*line = file.readline()* statement, in the exact_same_place as the *print 
line* statement above, then I get an email with *whatever* in the body. So, 
what in tarnation is going on?? Why doesn't variable *line* persist until 
the 2nd to the last line of code? This makes no sense to me at all! Your 
help is appreciated.
TIA,
BenO