"Why didn't Uncle Bryant tell us to sign the agreement, or whatever it is?"
"Left it tuh some o' the men tuh handle. He's gone in tuh Red Oak with Mort. Reckon they're waitin' there fer the boys tuh git the paper signed an' bring it tuh them there."
"I'll not sign a thing until I talk to him," said Penny flatly, "and in the meantime, I'm going to bed."
Vince shook his head slowly. "Yuh can't."
"Who's going to stop me?"
"Sawtell an' Lombard an' Lonergan will be done with Jeb in a few minutes. They'll see that you sign somehow."
Penny turned to go upstairs, but Sawtell's stocky figure appeared at the top of the flight. His voice was soft and smooth to match the bland expression of his wide face.
"Miss Cavendish," he said as he started down the stairs, "I'm glad you're back. We've something to talk about."
"You've nothing to talk about with me," the girl said to the descending man. "Any business you have for Uncle Bryant can wait until he gets back here."