While Bryant appeared to ponder this, Wallie went on quickly. "I thought maybe Penelope could come along with 'em fer a few days, till Mrs. Hastings gets sort of acquainted with 'em. Wouldn't that be a good way?"
"Maybe so."
"Good enough then, Uncle Bryant. I didn't want tuh do nothin' till I'd talked tuh you about it. I won't bother you no more now. I'm sorry tuh disturb you, but I figgered on ridin' back home with the rest of the boys, an' I wanted tuh get yer okey on this Mrs. Hastings so's I could tell Penelope."
"You through talkin' now?"
Wallie rose. "Reckon so. You'll be comin' back on the buckboard, won't yuh?"
"How else could I git home? Didn't I fetch the buckboard?"
"That's right, Uncle Bryant, I'm sorry not tuh have thought it out."
"Now get the hell outta here an' lemme git some sleep."
Still Wallie didn't go. He shifted his weight uneasily from one foot to the other. "There-there's somethin' I wanted tuh say," he fumbled. "I—I don't want yuh tuh git sore about it...."
"Wal?"