“Where will you go if you leave here?”
“I haven’t given that part any thought,” admitted Mrs. Downey. “I may do a little traveling. I have a sister in Texas I might visit.”
“You’ll be lonesome for Pine Top.”
“Yes,” admitted Mrs. Downey, “this place will always seem like home to me. And I’ve lived a busy, useful life for so many years it will be hard to let go.”
“Possibly Peter Jasko will reconsider his decision.”
Mrs. Downey smiled and shook her head. “Not Peter. I’ve known him for many years, although I can’t say I ever became acquainted with him. Once he makes a stand nothing can sway him.”
“Is he entirely right in his mind?” Penny asked dubiously.
“Oh, yes. He’s peculiar, that’s all. And he’s getting old.”
Despite Mrs. Downey’s avowal that no one was responsible for Peter Jasko’s decision, Penny considered herself at fault. She could not blame the old man for being provoked because she had helped his granddaughter escape from the cabin.
“If I went down there and apologized it might do some good,” she thought. “At least, nothing will be lost by trying.”