“Until Mary-Clare turns you out?” she asked harshly. “And gets talked about for doing it––or lets you stay on reflecting upon her what can’t tell her side? Larry Rivers, you always was a thorn in your good father’s side and I reckon you’ve been one in Mary-Clare’s.”
Larry winced again and recalled sharply the old vacations and this woman’s silent attitude toward him. It all came back clearly. He could always cajole Aunt Polly Heathcote, but Peneluna had explained her attitude toward him in the past by briefly stating that she “internally and eternally hated boys.”
“You’re hard on me, Mrs. Sniff. You’ll be sorry some day.”
“Then I’ll be sorry!” Peneluna sneezed.
Presently her mood, however, changed. She regarded Larry with new interest.
“How much will you give me for my place?” Peneluna leaned forward suddenly and quite took Larry off his guard. He had succeeded so unexpectedly that it had the effect of shock.
“Five dollars a month, Mrs. Sniff.”
“I’m wanting ten.”
This was a staggering demand.
“How bad does he want it?” Peneluna was thinking.