“I’ll stay just where I am for a spell,” he replied, avoiding her gaze.
“You do as I tell you right off.”
A stubborn expression settled over his face and shoulders. He made her no further reply. Rose’s anger gathered in a tempest that she tried in vain to restrain.
“William,” she demanded, “where is it? It’s gone, you know what.”
“I ain’t seen it,” he answered finally; “I really ain’t, Rose.”
“That’s a story, only you knew. Come out here.”
“Get along,” Gordon interrupted testily. “How can I figure in this ruction?”
“I ain’t agoing a step,” William told them both; “I’m going to stop right here with Uncle Gordon.”
“Well, then,” the latter insisted, “get it through with—what is it?”
“I’ll tell you what it is,” William Vibard stammered; “it’s a hundred and forty dollars Rose held out on you and kept in a drawer, that’s what!”