"Ten thousand dollars," came the quick response.
"And your equity?" Pell pursued, businesslike enough now.
"Another ten thousand."
He thought Morgan Pell would be stunned. Instead, he merely said, "I'll give you twenty thousand. That'll pay the mortgage and give you your ten back. You can give me an option while I'm arranging payment. Get me? That'll save time."
"You mean you'll give me twenty thousand dollars for this ranch?" Gilbert said, unable to understand.
"Exactly. Will you take it?"
"You bet your life he'll take it!" cried Uncle Henry, whom everyone had forgotten in the excitement of the moment. He rolled his chair expertly to the table, and peered into his nephew's face, fearing he would make a fool of himself once more. He was trembling with excitement.
"Then that's settled," Pell announced.
Unnoticed, Lucia had come to the top of the stairway, and stood listening to every word. And Hardy, who had been trying his best to get a word in edgewise, finally managed to cry out:
"Wait a minute!"